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The government is taking another step toward a healthier Ireland with the introduction of a new licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes. The system, part of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023, will come into effect on 2 February 2026. This move aims to reduce the availability of these products and curb their use, especially among young people and non-smokers.

Currently, selling tobacco products requires only a simple registration and a one-off fee of €50. However, no such requirements exist for retailers of nicotine inhaling products, such as e-cigarettes. The upcoming changes will require annual licences for each premises selling these products, introducing new responsibilities and costs for retailers.

Key Changes

Under the new regulations:

• Retailers must obtain annual licences, with fees set at €1,000 for tobacco products and €800 for nicotine inhaling products.
• Applications will be processed by the HSE’s National Environmental Health Service, which will also have the authority to suspend or revoke licences.
• Temporary and mobile premises, such as festival pop-up shops, will not be eligible for licences.
• Retail workers selling these products must be over 18 years old, though exceptions are made for family-run businesses.
• The enforcement agency can publicly name businesses convicted of tobacco control offences.

Government’s Vision

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly hopes the new licensing system will discourage retailers from stocking tobacco and vaping products altogether. He stated:

“The government’s objective is to eliminate tobacco use. By introducing an annual fee, we aim to reduce the number of outlets selling these products, particularly to deter young people and non-smokers from starting.”

Minister Donnelly also praised the cooperation of retailers in adhering to past tobacco control measures, adding:

“Retailers have known this system was planned since 2023, and I’m confident the 13-month lead-in period will give them sufficient time to prepare. This is another milestone in our strategy to achieve a tobacco-free Ireland.”

Protecting Public Health

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing, and the National Drugs Strategy Colm Burke highlighted the broader impact of these changes:

“Tobacco products cause an estimated 4,500 deaths annually in Ireland and contribute to countless diseases and health complications. These measures will not only enhance oversight of these products but also protect the health of future generations.”

Towards a Tobacco-Free Ireland

Ireland has been at the forefront of global efforts to reduce smoking rates, from banning workplace smoking to introducing plain packaging for tobacco products. This latest initiative continues the country’s leadership in public health, aiming for a future where tobacco use is a thing of the past.