Tobacco and nicotine age limits in Ireland (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: The minimum age to be sold tobacco or nicotine inhaling products such as e-cigarettes is 18; it rises to 21 for tobacco on 1 February 2028. Smoking tobacco is banned in workplaces and on public transport, and in a vehicle in a public place when a child under 18 is present.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age to buy tobaccoTobacco and nicotine products18 years [1]
Minimum age to buy e-cigarettesTobacco and nicotine products18 years [1]
Nicotine pouchesTobacco and nicotine products⚠ Not yet verified
Smoking ban in indoor public placesTobacco and nicotine productsYes [2]
Smoking ban on public transportTobacco and nicotine productsYes [2]
Flavoured tobacco and e-cigarettesTobacco and nicotine products⚠ Not yet verified
Smoking in cars with childrenTobacco and nicotine productsSmoking a tobacco product in a vehicle in a public place in which a child (under 18) is present is prohibited. The smoker commits an offence, and the driver too if the smoker is another person. [3]
E-cigarettes in indoor public placesTobacco and nicotine products⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • Section 28 bans retail sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products to anyone under 18 (a child). Pending: from 1 February 2028 section 28A raises the tobacco sale age to 21 (inserted by the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2024); the nicotine inhaling product age stays 18. Sale to a child is not a ban on use.
  • Applies to nicotine inhaling products, including electronic cigarettes, and is a sale ban. Pending: the 2028 age of 21 applies to tobacco products only.
  • The sources read do not say whether nicotine pouches are covered or banned.
  • Section 47 bans smoking tobacco in 'specified places', mainly workplaces, including licensed premises, registered clubs, public buildings, cinemas and theatres, schools, and public transport. It is not a single ban on all indoor public places; exceptions include dwellings, prisons, uncovered areas and covered outdoor areas with no more than 50% of the perimeter enclosed, hotel bedrooms, and some care premises.
  • Applies to aircraft, trains, ships and other vessels, and public service vehicles, and to vehicles carrying members of the public for reward insofar as they are a place of work.
  • The driver has a defence if unable to prevent it or if all reasonable efforts were made. Reasonable belief that everyone present was 18 or over is a defence. The 2014 Act covers tobacco products; vaping is not mentioned.
  • Section 47 of the 2002 Act covers smoking tobacco products; no indoor vaping rule was found in the sources read.

Sources

  1. Law Reform Commission (Revised Acts): Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 (revised) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Law Reform Commission (Revised Acts): Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 (revised) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Irish Statute Book (Office of the Attorney General): Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014, section 2 (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.