Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has been pressed by a unanimous vote in the Assembly to raise the minimum age for tobacco purchases from 16 to 18. Such a move would bring Northern Ireland into line with the Republic and Britain.
He told the Assembly yesterday the extent of smoking among young children remained problematic with the behaviour of parents a contributory factor alongside peer pressure.
"The reasons why young people take up smoking despite the overwhelming evidence of harm it causes are complex and varied," he said.
Assembly members heard that some 11 per cent of under-16s were now smoking.
The DUP's Iris Robinson, who chairs the committee which monitors and advises the Health Minister, said: "the younger people start smoking the more likely they are to smoke for longer and to die prematurely from smoking," she said.
The move to increase the age at which tobacco can be purchased was also supported by the SDLP and Sinn Féin.
However, unanimity on the age limit for purchasing tobacco did not extend to plans by Northern Ireland junior minister in Westminster Paul Goggins to lower the age of sexual consent from 17 to 16 with the DUP pledging to oppose it.
Mr Goggins said there was no compelling reason for the age to be different in Northern Ireland than elsewhere.
However, Upper Bann MP and Assembly member David Simpson said the move would be opposed. The current age of 17 was only another year, he said, but it was significant in that it allowed for greater maturity.