Tobacco Control Measures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Questions (1012)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

1012. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health with regard to the licensing of tobacco vending machines, if the licence required applies to the shop and vending machines or just the person supplying the vending machine; do the suppliers of said vending machines need to get a licence for each vending machine supplied to each shop or one single licence to cover all the shops they have vending machines in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45904/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Currently under Irish Tobacco Control Legislation a retailer wishing to sell tobacco products must register with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and be placed on the Retail Register for the sale of tobacco products. This includes the sale of tobacco products by self-service vending machines. Under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 as amended the HSE may charge a fee as may be determined by the Minister for Health. To date this has been a once off fee of €50 per applicant.

The Government proposes to increase the Retail Register fee during 2014 in the context of legislation to provide for the licensing of the sale of tobacco products as outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland which was approved by Government in July of this year.