To ask the Minister of Health whether he has set a date for a smoke-free Northern Ireland.

The Ten-Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland has an overall aim to create a tobacco-free society. In September 2023 a final review of the current Strategy was published and acknowledged stakeholder support for a smoke-free target date for Northern Ireland.

Preliminary work on a new Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland had commenced late 2023 but paused to prioritise work on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill (currently progressing through Parliament). The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides a unique opportunity to protect our children, young people and future generations from the harms of tobacco, as well as new forms of nicotine addiction. The Department’s immediate focus is supporting the inclusion of provisions in respect of Northern Ireland in the Bill and their implementation.

My Department will then identify the remaining challenges, including further consideration of a smoke-free target date, which will be the focus of a successor tobacco control strategy for NI. Such ambitious targets will require careful consideration, adequate resourcing and realistic plans as to how to best achieve the target. The current strategy will continue to provide strategic direction in the meantime.