This week, the Government is expected to agree on a new plan to raise the legal age for the sale of cigarettes from 18 to 21 years.
After falling for years, the number of people who smoke in Ireland has plateaued. Just under one-in-five Irish adults are still smoking.
On today’s podcast, In the News producer Aideen Finnegan explains what we know about the proposal.
Then we hear from Averil Power of the Irish Cancer Society, who welcomes the move. But she says the Government must urgently tackle the growing use of vapes among young people. Her warning comes as Irish researchers have found the “acutely toxic” chemicals in flavoured vapes could lead to a whole new wave of chronic diseases among users.
President Michael D Higgins’s engagements decrease over second term, Áras diary shows
‘He kept saying, what wrong have I done? Why me?’: An Indian man is left stripped and bloodied on an Irish street
'I don’t want her in the Áras': Little appetite in Sinn Féin for Mary Lou McDonald to run for president
OPW to end contracts with Elon Musk’s Starlink once Irish alternative is available
Presented by Sorcha Pollak.
Produced by Aideen Finnegan and Declan Conlon.