Menthol cigarettes are prohibited from today after the Health Minister signed the ban into law.
Simon Harris said it was another important step in the march towards the Government’s target of fewer than 5% smokers here by 2030.
He also took the opportunity to urge smokers to use the current lockdown as a chance to quit the habit.
His call comes as the World Health Organisation warns that smokers are more likely to get seriously ill or die from coronavirus.
Mr Harris said: “I welcome this ban. Smoking is an addictive and lethal habit.
“The pleasant taste of menthol masks the true taste of tobacco and might attract first time smokers or keep people smoking who might wish to quit.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has made it more important than ever to quit.
“On May 11 the World Health Organisation said that a review of studies by public health experts found that smokers are more likely to develop severe disease with Covid-19, compared to non-smokers.
“It also warned that tobacco is a major risk factor for
non-communicable diseases and these conditions increase the risk of developing severe illness when affected by Covid-19.
“I urge everyone who is thinking about quitting to contact the HSE Quit service for support.”
The Department of Health said the purpose of the ban is to make sure cigs no longer include ingredients that would make smoking more palatable or easier for someone to start by masking the taste of tobacco.
There was a four-year lead-in time for the ban to give smokers on menthol cigarettes plenty of time to switch to other products.
The prohibition is contained in the EU (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 made by the Minister in 2016.
