2276. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding any legislative requirement for retailers of smokeless nicotine and tobacco products to be either registered or licenced to sell these products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43539/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health; The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 introduced a licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products such as vapes. Previously, there was a once-off registration system for tobacco retailers, and no register for retailers of nicotine inhaling products. The licensing system came into operation on the 2nd of February 2026. Businesses that were already selling these products have 6 months to apply for a licence.

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.

Those who wish to sell these products will have to apply for a licence, pay the required fee and renew that licence annually. The licencing system will give the HSE's National Environmental Health Service robust oversight of who is selling nicotine inhaling products.  The legislation allows for increased penalties for offences such as selling to minors, including revocation of a licence. In addition, licences will not be granted to temporary or moveable premises such as those at festivals, and the sale of these products at events aimed at children is also prohibited.

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.