Ireland’s HSE Data: Over 22% of Tested Shops Sold E-Cigarettes to Minors in 2025 (First 10 Months)

2Firsts — January 5, 2026 (based on reporting by The Irish Times)

Newly released figures from Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) show that, despite a ban on selling vaping products to people under 18 introduced in 2023, more than one in five retailers subjected to “test purchases” were found to have sold “highly addictive” vaping products to minors.

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Test Purchases: 2025 (January–October)

The report states that, between January and October 2025, enforcement officers found that 51 retailers sold e-cigarettes to minors. This represents more than 22% of the 224 shops tested.

These inspections were carried out by the HSE’s National Environmental Health Service, which is responsible for enforcing a 2023 law prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes containing inhaled nicotine to people under 18.

How the Ban Works

The prohibition took effect on December 22, 2023. From March 2024, the HSE obtained the power to conduct “test purchases” to identify retailers who may still be selling vaping products to under-18s.

In 2024, the HSE conducted 223 test purchases and found 40 retailers selling to people under 18. In the first 10 months of 2025, that rose to 51 retailers out of 224 tests.

Penalties

Retailers found selling vaping products to people under 18 may face a maximum fine of €4,000 and up to six months in prison.

Broader Regulation and Enforcement Actions

Ireland regulates the safety, quality, and advertising of e-cigarettes under an EU directive adopted in 2016. In 2024, the HSE carried out 256 inspections to ensure basic sales requirements were met. Following those inspections, the HSE issued 14 prohibition orders to stop the sale of unregulated vaping products.

From January to October 2025, the HSE issued 36 prohibition orders after 496 inspections.

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Disposable Vape Ban Bill Moving Through Parliament

A proposed law to prohibit the sale of single-use (disposable) vapes is currently progressing through Ireland’s parliament (the Oireachtas). One aim of the bill is to make vaping less attractive or less accessible to minors by banning cheaper disposable products. The legislation would also restrict flavours, limit any flavour description beyond a basic name, and constrain the colours and images used on packaging. It also seeks to reduce the environmental impact of disposable nicotine products.

Political Reactions

TD Malcolm Byrne wants the Public Health (Single Use Vapes) Bill to include a comprehensive ban on brightly coloured, sweet-flavoured nicotine devices, arguing that these products are alleged to be marketed to minors.

He said tobacco companies continue to target young people, describing flavoured vapes and colourful packaging as “deliberate marketing tactics,” and called on the government to amend the bill during its committee stage to address these issues.

Image source: The Irish Times