Irish senator Doctor John Crown has asked that all tobacco products be banned in Ireland by 2025.

The senator, who is a cancer surgeon and a former smoker, said Europe should also adopt the ban.

Senator Crown said: "It will give the companies time to re-tool the machines to make something else.

"This is a time when the world is short of food. Imagine all that agricultural land being used to produce cancer causing tobacco instead of being used to grow food.

"It will allow the pension funds to reinvest and it will give the addicts due notice, if you're still alive in ten to 15 years, you won't be able to get cigarettes legally."

Senator Crown is behind  a Bill banning smoking in cars in Ireland when children are in the vehicle. The Bill was approved by the Cabinet.