The Fed Continues Call for Rethink of Tobacco and Vape Licence in Irish Republic
Tuesday 6th January
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28/11/2025
The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has continued its call for the Republic of Ireland Government to rethink its proposed Tobacco and Vape Licence which could see shops facing a €1,800 combined “tax” for continuing their current sales.
The proposed licences are scheduled to be introduced on February 2026 issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) with an annual fee of €1,000 for a tobacco license and €800 for a nicotine-inhaling product (vape) license, with both requiring separate licenses.
Earlier in the year, the Fed’s District President in Ireland, Martin Mulligan, wrote to key figures in the Irish Government including Peter Burke TD Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, as Minister for Health, expressing concern that the changes will hurt legitimate retailers and make it hard for them to stay in business, causing wider economic harm.
Furthermore, as reported in November’s Ireland Focus Fed magazine, the Fed has continued its call for the Government to introduce a Small Business Ombudsman which the Fed said could give small enterprises a needed stronger voice, at a time of rising costs and the unintended consequences of government policy which will potentially have a major impact on retailers right cross the country.
The Fed has used the opportunity to highlight the economic and social value of Fed members in Ireland. Writing in his letter to Ministers earlier this year, Martin Mulligan wrote: “…as you will appreciate, the retail market is worth approximately €40 Billion each year to the Irish economy employing approximately 200,000 people. Independent retailers in particular play a vital role in Irish society, with its strong tradition of independent retail, and focal point in the villages, towns and cities across the country.”
Martin Mulligan’s letters were recently acknowledged by the office of the Minister for Health in Ireland but the Fed awaits further updates and will continue to work hard to ensure the voice of independent retailers is heard by political decision makers in Dublin and across Ireland.
For more information on the Fed’s Political Engagement work, please get in touch on douglas.oliver@nfrn.org.uk.
