Major change on the way for retailers selling vapes and tobacco in Kilkenny
The new retail licensing scheme will come into effect in Kilkenny and across Ireland on February 2, 2026
Kilkenny retailers will have to pay an annual fee of €800 to sell vapes and €1,000 to sell tobacco as part of a new licencing system, a move which according to BAT Ireland will help to stop the proliferation of illegal vapes and prevent sales to under-18s.
The licencing system was announced via Statutory Instrument this week and will come into force on February 2, 2026.
The system includes tobacco products and vapes, but does not include tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
"We have repeatedly called for the introduction of the retail licence system and believe it will play an important role in the enforcement of the under-18 vape sales ban and in preventing the sale of illegal vape products," said David Melinn, Country Manager BAT Ireland.
"However, we believe that the failure to include tobacco-free nicotine pouches was a misstep and one that can hopefully be addressed by the next government."
Shops that sell vapes will have to join a register and will be subject to inspections by the HSE to ensure compliance with the law.
They will have to renew their licence annually meaning that any retailer who sells illegal vapes or sells to under-18s can have their licence revoked, and lose the ability to sell vapes.
The licence fee will apply to all shops that sell vapes and tobacco, including individual chain outlets. Until now shops that sold tobacco had to pay a once-off €50 fee, and there was no licence for selling vapes.