Ireland implements new regulations banning sale of tobacco products through vending machines, aims to reduce smoking rate to below 5%.

Sep.29.2025

Ireland bans sale of cigarettes, e-cigarettes from vending machines to reduce smoking rates, underage access.

Key points:

·New regulations: Ireland implemented new regulations on cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products on September 29, which prohibit the sale of such products through vending machines.

·Current smoking data: The latest data from the Central Statistics Office of Ireland shows that about 18% of the Irish population still smokes.

·Current status of related plans: The "Smoke-Free Ireland Plan" launched in 2016, the person in charge stated that there are no resources or capabilities to provide services for e-cigarette users who want to quit smoking. They had previously refused help for this group.

According to RSVP, Ireland implemented new regulations related to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products on September 29, 2025, prohibiting the sale of these products through vending machines. Such vending machines are commonly found in bars and nightclubs.

Irish Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill stated that this measure aims to reduce Ireland's smoking rate to below 5%.

Officials have confirmed that the above-mentioned new regulations will officially take effect on September 29th.

Minister Carol MacNeil emphasized that the main objective of the ban is to reduce access for individuals under 18 years old to such products.

This new regulation is part of the Irish government's comprehensive tobacco and nicotine control plan aimed at reducing the number of smokers and e-cigarette users nationwide.

According to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office of Ireland, around 18% of the Irish population are still engaged in smoking.

It was previously reported that the Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, a subsidiary of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland, had refused to provide assistance to e-cigarette users who were willing to quit smoking.

The Smoke-Free Ireland initiative was established in 2016 as part of the Healthy Ireland in the Health Services Implementation Plan. Its goal is to improve public health, enhance well-being, and reduce the number of smokers.

During a parliamentary inquiry, Martina Blake, head of the "Smoke-Free Ireland" program, told Labour Party MP Marie Sherlock that the program currently does not have the resources to address issues related to e-cigarettes.

She stated, "We currently do not have the ability to provide services related to quitting smoking (e-cigarettes), and we also lack the resources needed to carry out this work.

References:

[1] Vape and cigarette ban date confirmed as specific rules explained

Also Read:

[1] The Irish government plans to ban disposable e-cigarettes and impose a tax on e-cigarette oils by the end of the year

[2] Ireland to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes, Advertising; Industry Warns 220,000 Vapers at Risk

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact

Ukraine Raises Excise Stamp Fees for Tobacco, Heated Tobacco and Vape Liquids by 30.5% as Parliament Backs E-Excise Delay to 2027

Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 1259 on October 15, 2026, increasing excise stamp production fees for tobacco products and e-cigarette liquids by approximately 30.5%, from UAH 0.1643 to UAH 0.2144 per stamp. Fees for alcoholic beverages rose by about 30.2%. Separately, Ukraine's parliament passed Bill No. 15532 on October 13, proposing to postpone the full implementation of electronic excise stamps and traceability for alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarette liquids from November 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027. Parliament cited additional testing, configuration and integration requirements. The bill was sent to the president for signature on October 19.

Regulations

Oct.21

On-Site Report | CTP Details PMTA Backlog, 180-Day Review Goal and sPMTA Process

FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products detailed new PMTA review data and process changes at the 2026 FDLI conference. Pending PMTAs fell from about 450,000 at the start of 2025 to 135,000 by September 2026. CTP also discussed its 180-day review goal, current sPMTA pilot, alternate-supplier planning, more than 50,300 pending SE reports, and lessons from the nicotine pouch pilot already being applied to ENDS review.

Regulations

Oct.07

Product | OXVA Introduces XLIM PRO 4 With Liquid-Level Anti-Burn Technology and Dedicated Pods

Vaping brand OXVA introduced the XLIM PRO 4 refillable pod system in October 2026, featuring Anti-Burn Tech (ABT) based on smart e-liquid-level detection. The system can issue refill alerts and stop power output when e-liquid levels become too low. ABT requires the XLIM PRO 4 device and a dedicated XLIM ABT cartridge. Standard XLIM pods remain compatible but do not support ABT protection. OXVA previously introduced temperature-based anti-burn technology in the XLIM Pro 2 DNA, developed with Evolv. The new device features a 1,800mAh battery, 5–30W output and a 0.98-inch HD color screen. OXVA's official store lists the device at $37.90 and dedicated ABT replacement cartridges at $12.99. Independent testing confirmed the low-liquid protection response but recorded varying cartridge lifespans.

product

Oct.30

Product | KUMI SCENIC 50K Offers Nicotine and 6-Methyl Nicotine Versions as 6-MN Products Appear in Multiple U.S. State Directories, With Louisiana Listing FDA Exemption

An October 2026 review of U.S. state vapor product directories found KUMI 6 SCENIC 50K listed in Louisiana and Nebraska. Louisiana classifies 20 related product entries as “FDA EXEMPTION.” The SCENIC platform is marketed in both conventional nicotine-salt and NoNic6 formulations, each advertised with 22mL e-liquid capacity and up to 50,000 puffs. U.S. wholesaler Midwest Goods listed both versions in August 2025 with a suggested retail price of $19.99 each. The NoNic6 version is associated with 6-methylnicotine and is also marketed by some distributors as “nicotine-free.”

product

Oct.27

Charlie’s Bets on Age-Gating and 678 PMTA Assets as U.S. Vape Enforcement Landscape Shifts

Charlie’s Holdings said in its latest shareholder letter that it is moving to commercialize PACHA products and monetize its PMTA assets as the FDA changes enforcement priorities for unauthorized ENDS products. Thirty PACHA SKUs were previously tentatively identified for a proposed public list of products that the FDA generally does not intend to prioritize for enforcement. Charlie’s is also preparing test-market sales of age-gated flavored disposables and says it currently holds 678 PMTA-related product assets while seeking additional strategic transactions and partnerships.

Sep.11

Special Report | Altria's NACS Booth Raises Questions Over U.S. Tobacco Advertising Warnings

During its coverage of Altria's booth at NACS Show 2026, 2Firsts documented product displays that prompted questions about U.S. tobacco advertising warning requirements. Following public comments from a former FDA official, 2Firsts sought responses from Altria and independently consulted U.S. regulatory lawyer Azim Chowdhury. Altria maintained that its B2B communications complied with applicable laws, while Chowdhury explained that federal warning rules provide no general trade-show exemption for e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The special report examines the broader regulatory implications.

Nov.04

Ireland implements new regulations banning sale of tobacco products through vending machines​, aims to reduce smoking rate to below 5%​.

Key points:

Ireland implements new regulations banning sale of tobacco products through vending machines, aims to reduce smoking rate to below 5%.