Ireland’s Tobacco and Vape Retail Licensing Regime Takes Effect; BAT Says It Should Cover Nicotine Pouches

Key Points

• BAT Ireland is urging the government to include nicotine pouches in the retail licensing regime, regulating them alongside vapes.
• The licensing system took effect on Feb. 2, 2026, with licences issued on a per-premises basis.
• Annual fees: €1,000 for tobacco products; €800 for nicotine inhaling products such as e-cigarettes (about $1,180 and $950, respectively).
• Applications are handled by the Health Service Executive (HSE), which is responsible for enforcement inspections; non-compliant retailers may have their licences revoked.

2Firsts, Feb. 4, 2026 

According to ESM Magazine, British American Tobacco’s Irish unit, BAT Ireland, has called on the government to bring nicotine pouches under the country’s new retail licensing system, so they are regulated alongside vapes and other products.

Under provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023, the retail licensing regime formally took effect on Feb. 2, 2026. The system requires an annual licence for each point of sale: retailers selling tobacco products must pay €1,000 per premises, while those selling nicotine inhaling products such as e-cigarettes must pay €800 (about $1,180 and $950, respectively).

Official information shows that licence applications are processed by relevant units within Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE), which also has inspection and enforcement powers. Licences must be renewed annually, and retailers found in breach may have their licences revoked, losing the right to continue selling the products.

BAT Ireland said that leaving nicotine pouches outside the scope of the regime could undermine regulatory consistency. Multiple media and industry reports have also noted that the current framework primarily targets tobacco and “inhaled” nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, while nicotine pouches remain outside the system.

Cover image source: ESM Magazine