The government has announced plans to make Ireland tobacco free by 2025. Smoking will not be illegal but it is hoped smoking rates will be reduced from 22% to just 5%.

This is the first time a date has been set to make Ireland tobacco free.

The government has set itself a target of denormalising smoking and cutting smoking rates to just 5% over the next 12 years.

And while smoking will not be illegal, it will be banned in cars and in many public areas like playgrounds, creches and college campuses. There will also be further price increases on the price of cigarettes and tobacco.

An estimated 5,200 people are dying from smoking-related illnesses every year in Ireland. CEO of the Irish Cancer Society John McCormack says these new measures cannot come soon enough.

As well as price increases, there will be specific measures to try and prevent young people from taking up the habit - including changes to packaging.

The 'Tobacco Free Ireland' plan provides over 60 recommendations with the overall aim of 'de-normalising' smoking in Irish society. The document also sets out measures to:

• protect children from the harms of tobacco
• enforce, regulate and legislate for tobacco activities and products
• educate citizens about the dangers of tobacco
• assist those who smoke to stop

Speaking at the launch, Health Minister James Reilly said "to make Ireland tobacco free in 12 years is an extraordinary challenge, but if we work together to de-normalise smoking for young people we can do it".

"And do it we must because for every two young people who become addicted to tobacco one of them will die as a consequence".

The Minister referred to the Healthy Ireland report which he launched in April of this year, which emphasises the need for a 'whole of society' and partnership approach in making Ireland healthy.

Citing examples of where partnerships were already up and running in the tobacco area the Minister added "ASH Ireland has been working closely with local authorities in implementing smoke-free playgrounds and together they have achieved very positive results - 75% of County Councils and 60% of City Councils are now on board".

Both UCD and Trinity are considering plans to make their campuses smoke free and the Minister is encouraging other third level colleges to follow suit.