CIGARETTES, TOBACCO AND vapes are banned from self-service and vending machines in Ireland from Monday 29 September.

The machines are often found in pubs and nightclubs, but the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland said their use has been decreasing in recent years.

The upcoming ban is part of the governments wider tobacco and nicotine plan, which aims to reduce smoking prevalence in Ireland to under 5%. Latest CSO figures suggest 18% of the population are current smokers.

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, has said the move will reduce children’s access to the products.

She said: “Sometimes children have been able to access these harmful products, this is unacceptable, and this ban will ensure that this can no longer happen.”

“This is another significant milestone in implementing our national tobacco control policy. The ban aligns with our broader public health strategy to reduce and prevent tobacco and nicotine use in society and ultimately save lives.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD said vending machines have been an “avenue of easy access” to nicotine use.

She added their use has been “shown to contribute to early experimentation and long-term addiction.” 

Less popular

Speaking to The Journal, the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland said use of the vending machines had become less popular, but was still relied upon as a source of income for some pubs.

A spokesperson for the group said: “While the number of members using vending machines has declined in recent years, some pubs still rely on them as a small source of ancillary income.”

“We will continue to keep members informed about the change and ensure they understand their obligations under the new law.”

The spokesperson said that staff working in pubs will retain the right to access the machines.