History risks repeating itself in Ireland

Peter Foreshaw Brookes | 21st July 2025 | Comment, Politics
Cigarette_(249090273)

Northern Ireland faces legal confusion over UK and EU tobacco laws. A UK generational smoking ban and proposed EU excise hikes risk encouraging smuggling through the region. Critics warn of serious consequences, including illicit trade and organised crime, if legislators in London and Brussels fail to address the legal contradictions.

It is easy to see a harm and forge ahead with removing it before anything else gets in the way, like the man at the side of the road complaining about how parents reprimand their children. Yes, reprimanding is unpleasant. However, it is far less unpleasant than the alternative: children without guidance. As it is with many things in life, so it is with many legislative efforts. Too often, politicians amount to the man complaining at the side of the road, concerned only with the harms he sees and not the full results of his recommendations. Currently, Northern Ireland is poised to fall victim to this sort of lack of foresight from legislators on two fronts, from London and from Brussels, and the consequences are going to be serious. In the UK, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently making its way through the British Parliament. It contains what was originally the brainchild of the previous British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak: the generational smoking ban. The Bill would make it an offe...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Martyr in the Cathedral

William Cash | January 5, 2021

Why Thomas Becket’s murder 850 years ago remains a cautionary tale for special advisers today, says William Cash

Thomas Becket Canterbury Cathedral

Can Boris bounce back after his annus horribilis?

Harry Mount | December 10, 2020

Since Boris Johnson won an 80-seat landslide at last year's general election, he has never quite looked in control. But he could yet recover, says Harry Mount

Boris hasn't had the best time at the helm

Stuck between the snobs and the critics

Frances Leach | December 8, 2020

Fashion can make or break in Westminster, says former aide to Jeremy Corbyn Frances Leach

Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson

MP’s surgeries get an upgrade

Josh Dell | November 26, 2020

Virtual MP's surgeries are less strenuous and less time-consuming than their face-to-face equivalents. Josh Dell hails the benefits of their digitisation

Put the Donald in the Dock, says Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci | November 25, 2020

In 60 days, America should prosecute the outgoing president for the atrocities of his time in office, argues Anthony Scaramucci (Trump’s former head of communications), Alan Blotcky and

The End of ‘Domocracy’ at No 10

Peter Cardwell | November 15, 2020

Dominic Cummings's departure from Downing Street gives Boris Johnson the chance to reshuffle his team on more democratic lines, says former SpAd Peter Cardwell

Dominic Cummings Special

The Cummings Legacy Is Not What The Pundits Think

William Cash | November 14, 2020

As Dominic Cummings leaves Downing Street for the last time, William Cash notes that his legacy will extend far beyond his own disruption of Whitehall

Dominic Cummings Special

The PM has Forgotten Where Power Truly Resides

Marie Le Conte | November 5, 2020

To soothe public outrage, says Marie Le Conte, the government need to look beyond the green benches

John Kerry John Bercow William Hague House of Commons

The Conservatives are finished if they don’t fight the culture war

Ferdie Rous | October 19, 2020

The Conservatives need to pick a side in the culture war, otherwise they’ll lose it, says Ferdie Rous

Queen Vic Brexit Culture War Conservatives

The Democrats pick pragmatism over idealism in 2020

Nicholas Wapshott | October 17, 2020

As a report reveals that Joe Biden will benefit from his son‘s deal with China's largest energy company, Nicholas Wapshott explains why he still has the best chance

Joe Biden Donald Trump