Ireland Proposes Retail Licensing for Tobacco and Vapes

On 20 January 2025, the Irish Government officially announced the commencement of the remaining provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023. The new licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco and vaping products will take effect on 2 February 2026, administered by the HSE’s National Environmental Health Service. This timeline provides a 13-month lead-in period for retailers to prepare for the transition. It replaces the previous one-off €50 tobacco registration fee and extends mandatory licensing requirements to e-cigarettes.

Licence Fees and Scope

Retailers must obtain a separate annual licence for each premises. Fees are set at €1,000 for tobacco products and €800 for nicotine-inhaling products. Licences will not be issued for temporary or mobile outlets, such as festival pop-ups.

Enforcement and Staff Requirements

The HSE is empowered to issue, suspend, or revoke licences and may publish the names of retailers convicted of offences. Retail staff selling tobacco or vaping products must be at least 18 years old, with exceptions for family-run businesses.

Policy Objectives

Minister Stephen Donnelly emphasised that the licensing regime is intended to reduce the number of retail outlets and limit access among young people and non-smokers. More broadly, the measure forms part of Ireland’s public health strategy to strengthen regulatory oversight and progress towards the long-term goal of a tobacco-free society.

Learn More

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