Health Committee passes bill on tobacco age restrictions
Vaping products remain exempt, raising concerns about enforcement and potential confusion for retailers
14 October 2024
Select Committee on Health has passed the Third Stage of a Bill introducing age restrictions on tobacco products starting January 2028.
This short Bill does not apply to vaping products, which may cause confusion at checkout.
The HSE Environmental Health Service will conduct test purchases with volunteers aged 15 to 20 for tobacco products, and those aged 15 to 17 will be used to assess compliance for nicotine inhaling products, increasing store visits, according to the CSNA.
Signage indicating the age restrictions must be displayed, with new signs required by January 2028.
Duty Free sales
The CSNA noted that there are no restrictions for online or Duty Free sales, nor for individuals aged 17 and over bringing tobacco products from other EU states.
Stakeholder consultation with retailers regarding the challenges of enforcing these age restrictions has not occurred, particularly for frontline staff who may need to refuse sales to young adults aged 18, 19, and 20.
The Bill is set to be introduced to the Senate presently.
Read more: Delays to Auto-Enrolment likely as minimum wage hike looms – CSNA
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