On 18 December 2025, the High Court of Ireland ruled to refuse the reliefs sought by CSNA, a company that represents the interests of retailers, which challenged the lawfulness of fees regulations approved in 2024.

The current licencing regime, set by the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, establishes a once-off fee of €50 is payable in respect of such registration.

A new system for licensing the sale of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products was introduced by the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 (“the 2023 Act”). Under the 2023 Act, any person wishing to sell tobacco or nicotine inhaling products is required to apply to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for a licence.

The Minister for Health made the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 (Fees) Regulations 2024 (“the 2024 Regulations”), which prescribed the following fees, applicable also to renew licences:

• A fee of €1000 for an application for a licence to sell tobacco products;
• A fee of €800 for an application for a licence to sell nicotine inhaling products;
• A fee of €1800 for an application for a licence to sell both.

The 2024 Regulations will come into operation on 2 February 2026.

The judgement in full is available through this link.

For more information, please, contact Ms Claire Gordon, WHO FCTC focal point in Ireland (Claire_Gordon@health.gov.ie).