Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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938. To ask the Minister for Health to clarify the definition of 'specialist stores' that will be permitted to sell vaping products under new legislation currently being prepared by her Department; if these stores will include retailers registered under the retail licensing system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52120/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 introduces a licensing system for all retailers who wish to sell:

a) tobacco

b) nicotine inhaling products, or

c) tobacco and nicotine inhaling products.

This licensing system will come into operation in February 2026. It will be an offence to sell nicotine inhaling products without a licence.

Separately, the proposed Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill will introduce point of sale display and advertising restrictions for nicotine inhaling products in retail premises.

The General Scheme which set out the policy intentions for this Bill was approved in September 2024. As per the General Scheme, the intention is that nicotine inhaling products must be kept in closed containers and not be visible to customers. This requirement will not apply to retailers who only sell nicotine inhaling products, vapes without nicotine and accessories related to the functioning or maintenance of nicotine inhaling products or vapes.

The General Scheme also sets out that advertising of nicotine inhaling products cannot take place in premises selling nicotine inhaling products, without exceptions.

Finally, the General Scheme proposes restrictions on colours and imagery on nicotine inhaling product packaging and the devices themselves, so that these products are less attractive to children.