Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1073. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration was given under the commencement of outstanding provisions in the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 in relation to licence fees for small rural businesses that, compared with large supermarkets, will struggle to meet these fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2293/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in Ireland, with 4,500 people dying each year from tobacco-related diseases. 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.

These were the primary considerations in developing the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023, which provides for an annual fee per outlet for retailers wishing to sell a) tobacco, b) nicotine inhaling products or c) tobacco and nicotine inhaling products. I have now set those fees under the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 (Fees) Regulations 2024.

As with other licensing systems such as for alcohol, it is a matter for each individual retailer to decide whether or not to sell these products, and to apply for the relevant licence if so.