Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
874. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health for an update on the proposed licensing system for retailers selling vaping products and cigarettes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16667/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirement for a licence to sell tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products, as set out in The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 came into effect on the 2nd of February 2026.
There are three licenses available:
1. Tobacco Products
2. Nicotine Inhaling Products
3. Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products
The licensing system is managed by the National Environmental Health Service.
This licensing system fulfils the legislative commitments made in Tobacco Free Ireland and is intended to contribute to improvement of the enforcement of tobacco control and related law as well as reflect the seriousness of the harms caused by tobacco compared to other products.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in Ireland and is responsible for 4,500 deaths here each year. Smoking related deaths are mainly due to cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and heart disease. It is the Government’s objective to eliminate tobacco use in order to address the enormous burden of disease that it continues to cause in our population.
