Retailers face annual fees of €1,000 to sell tobacco and vapes under new licensing rules
January 20, 2025 by independent.ie
Retailers face annual fees of €1,000 to sell tobacco and vapes under new licensing rules
From February 2026, annual licences costing up to €1,000 will be required for selling tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products in Ireland. The new licensing regime aims to deter retailers and reduce tobacco and vape availability. Licences must be obtained for each premises from the HSE. Retailers must be over 18, and licenses won't be issued for temporary locations. The National Environmental Health Service can revoke licences and publicize offenders. The initiative aligns with the government's goal of a tobacco-free Ireland and reducing youth and non-smokers' access to vapes. The law complements previous legislation banning sales to under-18s.
18.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 717,042 current smokers in Ireland 21.00% of men are current smokers but only 15.00% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR