To ask the Minister of Health whether he plans to bring Northern Ireland into line with Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland by setting a target date for a smoke-free society.

The Ten-Year Tobacco Control Strategy for Northern Ireland has an overall aim to create a tobacco-free society. A final review of the Strategy, published in September 2023, 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. Given the introduction of the UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the Department’s focus in the immediate term is supporting inclusion of provisions in respect of Northern Ireland in the Bill and its implementation. The Bill offers a unique opportunity to save lives and has the potential to make a significant impact on smoking prevalence rates here.

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. It will be important that the setting of such ambitious targets includes considered, resourced and realistic plans as to how to achieve the target. The current strategy continues to provide strategic direction in the meantime.