From 6 April 2016, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) is commencing new legislation under the Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, available on the legislation.gov.uk website. The Act aims to reduce smoking prevalence among children and young people by restricting their access to tobacco products. The original 2016 guidance for retailers is detailed in the document below.
In addition, further legislation under provisions in the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, available on the legislation.gov.uk websit was introduced from 1 February 2022 to integrate the sale of nicotine inhaling products, including e-cigarettes, into the existing enforcement regime. Therefore, from 1 February 2022 it is an offence for a retailer to sell these products to, or for an adult to buy them on behalf of, a person under the age of eighteen. From that date, nicotine inhaling product offences are included in the list of relevant offences that a court may consider when making a restricted sale order or a restricted premises order.
Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 - Retailers Guidance