Ireland HSE Licenses 5,310 Vape and Tobacco Retailers Under 2023 Act
The short answer
The Health Service Executive issued 5,310 retail licenses for vaping and tobacco products in Ireland between February 2 and October 20, 2025. This data confirms the operational scale of the new licensing regime under the 2023 Act, which now binds all retailers selling these products.
Key facts
- Jurisdiction
- Ireland
- Authority
- Health Service Executive
- Instrument
- Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023
- Status
- Active
- Effective date
- February 2025
- Scope
- Retail sale of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products
New data reveals that the Health Service Executive (HSE) issued more than 15 weekly licenses for the retail sale of vaping and tobacco products in Cork this year.
Under Section 11 of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023, individuals or entities intending to retail tobacco or nicotine inhaling products are required to apply for a license from the HSE.
During a recent Regional Health Forum meeting, the HSE informed councillors that these licensing regulations only took effect in February of this year, meaning data for 2024 and 2025 was not available for review.
From February 2 to October 20, the HSE’s National Environmental Health Service issued a total of 5,310 licenses across Ireland.
In County Cork alone, 573 licenses were approved, comprising 93 for nicotine inhaling products only, 88 for tobacco products only, and 392 covering both categories.
Peter Horgan, a Labour councillor and chairman of the HSE SouthWest Forum, who received the figures, stated that the data illustrates the scale of the new licensing system and the substantial number of retail outlets now authorized to sell vaping and tobacco products.
“However, while we now have figures telling us how many licences have been granted, we need to go a step further and establish precisely where these businesses are located,” he said.
“We have to do that to prevent the clustering that is happening. You wouldn’t see off-licences operate next to each other, the same should be so for vaping.”
He has called for the HSE to introduce a publicly accessible geo-mapping system showing every approved vape and tobacco retail licence, with the locations clearly identified.
“We need to understand the geographical distribution of these premises, there are concentrations of outlets in particular towns, villages or neighbourhoods, and how close they are to schools, youth facilities, and other sensitive community locations,” said Mr Horgan.
Vapga take
The absence of public geo-mapping for these 5,310 licenses creates a regulatory blind spot regarding outlet clustering. Without visibility into proximity to schools, the HSE cannot enforce the spatial distribution principles that prevent the concentration of vape shops in sensitive community areas.
Frequently asked questions
How many total licenses for vaping and tobacco retail did the HSE issue in Ireland from February to October?
The HSE issued a total of 5,310 licenses across Ireland during this period. This figure includes licenses for nicotine inhaling products, tobacco products, and both categories combined.
What is the breakdown of the 573 licenses approved in County Cork for different product types?
In County Cork, 93 licenses were for nicotine inhaling products only, 88 for tobacco only, and 392 covered both categories. This breakdown illustrates the specific mix of retail authorizations in the region.
Why is the HSE being urged to create a geo-mapping system for approved vape and tobacco retail licenses?
Councillors want to prevent the clustering of outlets near schools and youth facilities. A public geo-mapping system would allow authorities to monitor the geographical distribution of these businesses effectively.
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