Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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615. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the new licensing system for tobacco and nicotine products; if he is aware of concerns of smaller retailers of the impact these new fees will have on their businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4201/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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. The cost to society from smoking due to healthcare costs, welfare and loss of productivity is estimated to be in excess of €10 billion per year. It is therefore the Government’s objective under the 2013 Tobacco Free Ireland policy to effectively eliminate smoking.

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 fulfils the legislative commitments made in Tobacco Free Ireland, including introducing a licensing system for retailers with the specific intention of denormalising tobacco retailing and reflecting the seriousness of the harms caused by tobacco compared to other products. It is also a pre-requisite for Ireland to ratify the Protocol to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which is designed to eliminate the illicit trade in tobacco products.

Retailer submissions to the consultation on this Bill proposed that the fee be proportionate by either number of outlets or volume of sales. Following consideration of all suggestions, the General Scheme of the Bill and subsequent legislation proposed an annual fee per outlet.

The sections of the Act relating to the licensing system were commenced and the fees were set in December last year. The system will not come into operation until 2 February 2026.

As with alcohol licensing, which carries a similar fee and structure, 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 they wish to do so.