New laws on the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes are set to be introduced

The new laws are being brought forward in September.

The Minister for Health is bringing forward new legislation to ban the sale of tobacco products from self-service vending machines and 'locations, or events' that are intended for children. The sale of e-cigarettes and tobacco products to people under the age of 18 is to also set be prohibited under the proposed new legislation. The proposed legislation will also introduce a licensing system for the sale of tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products, such as e-cigarettes. Under the current system, a retailer pays a one-off fee - equivalent to the cost of four to five packets of cigarettes - to sell the products. The new law will see additional enforcement tools, including fixed penalty notices and the power to 'name and shame' non-compliant retailers. Minister Harris says: '6,000 deaths a year are caused by smoking. Tobacco use costs Irish society a €10.7bn annually. It remains one of the greatest challenges for public health. I am bringing forward a new law in September to ban the sale of cigarettes from vending machines and at locations aimed at children." The legislation will be considered by the Government in September. https://twitter.com/SimonHarrisTD/status/1155740643777503232