Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
673. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the licensing fee for retailers to sell tobacco products from a once-off charge of €50 to an annual charge of €500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31416/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under current Irish tobacco control legislation, a retailer wishing to sell tobacco products, whether over the counter or from a self-service vending machine, must register with the HSE National Tobacco Control Office and be placed on the Retail Register for the sale of tobacco products. 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.
The Government proposes to increase the Retail Register fee in the context of legislation to provide for the licensing of the sale of tobacco products as outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland, Ireland’s tobacco control policy. On Tuesday 24 June 2014, Cabinet approved a memo to proceed with the drafting of Heads of a Bill in relation to licensing tobacco products and non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems (including e-cigarettes). The new system will replace the existing tobacco Retail Register. Work is ongoing in relation to this legislation and as such details, including fees, are not yet available.
