Ban on sales of nicotine inhaling products to under-18s comes into effect

New regulations prevent the sale, and proxy sale, of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes or vapes to under-18s in Northern Ireland

New regulations to ban the sale of nicotine inhaling products such as e-cigarettes to those aged under 18 have come into force.

Nicotine inhaling products (NIPs) include e-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes.

It is now an offence to sell nicotine inhaling products to children and to purchase, or attempt to purchase, such products by an adult on behalf of a child (a proxy purchasing offence). These offences are in line with offences relating to tobacco sales.

The enforcement of the regulations is the responsibility of Tobacco Enforcement Officers in district councils. Enforcement officers have the option of issuing fixed penalty notices of £250 for either offence.

An alleged offence may also be referred directly to court and, on summary conviction of either offence, a court can award a fine of up £5,000. Failure to pay a fixed penalty notice could also result in the matter being referred to court.

A person or a business found to be repeatedly selling NIPs to children could receive a Restricted Sales Order or a Restricted Premises Order from the court. Such an order can prohibit the sale of nicotine inhaling or tobacco products by a named individual or a business premises for up to three years.

Find out more about the current rules around selling tobacco and nicotine inhaling products.

First published 7 December 2021