A complete ban on the sale of tobacco is among ideas being looked at to help end smoking in Ireland.
An office of the HSE is to launch a survey in the new year to explore levels of public support for strategies to reach a smoking "endgame".
One suggestion is a large reduction in the number of shops allowed to sell tobacco products - and a ban on sales near schools and colleges.
It will also look into whether big tobacco companies should pay for the significant health costs associated with smoking.
Earlier this month, New Zealand banned anyone born after the year 2008 to buy cigarettes or tobacco products.
"We want to make sure young people never start smoking," Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verall said.
Other major tobacco controls were introduced by Jacinta Ardern's government on December 9th, including a ban on the sale of tobacco products and cigarettes in supermarkets and corner stores.
Once enacted, it will reduce the number of shops that could sell the product from 8,000 to around 500.
It's believed a similar measure is being considered for Ireland, which was the first to ban smoking from indoor public areas, bars, and restaurants when current Taoiseach Micheál Martin was Health Minister.
