Smoking, Tobacco Control & Vapes

Smoke Free

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and early death in Northern Ireland, causing around 2,300 deaths each year.
In April 2007, smoke-free legislation was introduced making it illegal to smoke inside and substantially enclosed workplaces and public places. The law also covers work vehicles and public transport.

The purpose of the legislation is to protect employees and the public from exposure to second-hand smoke.

Offences

The law creates the below offences:

Smoking in a smoke-free premises or vehicle

• Fixed Penalty Notice: £50
• Maximum court fine: £1,000

Failure to display ‘No Smoking’ signs

Signs must be clearly displayed at each entrance of smoke-free premises and in every seating compartment of smoke-free vehicles.

• Fixed Penalty Notice: £200
• Maximum court fine: £1,000

Failure to prevent smoking in a smoke-free premises or vehicle

• Maximum court fine: £2,500

Smoking Shelters

There is no legal requirement to provide a smoking shelter. However, many premises choose to provide one for staff or customers.

Any smoking shelter must comply with smoke-free rules. This means:

• If the shelter has a roof or ceiling, smoking is only allowed if less than 50% of its sides (including walls, windows, doors, or any openable fittings) are enclosed.
• A roof includes any fixed or movable covering, such as awnings.

If you are considering installing a shelter, you can contact the Tobacco Control Team for advice or a site visit. This helps make sure compliance and prevents costly design mistakes.

Inspections

Under the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, Tobacco Control Officers or Environmental Health Officers may visit premises to:

• Check compliance
• Provide advice
• Take enforcement action where necessary

For further information, contact Environmental Health (Tobacco Control):

T: 0330 137 4024

E: ehealth@nmandd.org
 

Tobacco Retailers

Anyone selling tobacco in Northern Ireland must be registered with Tobacco Register NI.

It is an offence to run a tobacco business without registration.

Tobacco products include: cigarettes, rolling tobacco, pipe tobacco, cigars, cigarette papers.

Penalties for Unregistered Retailing

• Fixed Penalty Notice: £500
• Maximum court fine: £5,000

Businesses with multiple premises must register each location.

Registration (Free of Charge)

You can register:

• Online: www.tobaccoregisterni.gov.uk 

Paper form:

• Call 028 9027 042 or 
• Email tobaccoregister@belfastcity.gov.uk
• Forms are also available to download at the website above

Completed forms can be returned to:

Tobacco Register NI
City and Neighbourhoods Services Department
Belfast City Council
The Cecil Ward Building
4-10 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BP 
 

Tobacco Display Ban

It is illegal for retailers to display tobacco products in public view.
Products must stay out of sight except when staff are serving customers or carrying out tasks like restocking.

Displaying tobacco products to anyone under 18 can result in:

• A fine of up to £5,000, and/or
• Up to two years’ imprisonment

See link below for detailed guidance:

GUIDANCE ON THE DISPLAY AND PRICING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
 

Vending Machine Ban

It is illegal to sell tobacco products from vending machines in Northern Ireland. 
 

Warning Notices

Shops selling tobacco must display this notice at the point of sale:

“It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.”

If you do not display this notice can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Underage Sales of Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products (including vapes)

It is an offence to sell tobacco products (including cigarette papers) or nicotine inhaling products (such as e-cigarettes and vape liquids) to anyone under 18.

Adults who buy (or try to buy) these products for someone under 18 — known as proxy purchasing — face:

• Fixed Penalty Notice: £250
• Maximum court fine: £5,000

Test Purchasing

To check compliance, the Council carries out test purchases using a person under 18 who tries to buy tobacco or nicotine inhaling products.

If a sale is made:

• Fixed Penalty Notice: £250
• Maximum court fine: £5,000
• Up to 6 months’ imprisonment

Retailers must make sure all age-restricted products are only sold when the customer gives acceptable photographic ID.

Tobacco Control Officers regularly visit retailers to raise awareness, offer guidance and monitor compliance.

If you suspect a retailer is selling to minors, contact the Tobacco Control Team.

Retailers - How to comply with the law

Retailers should:

• Introduce a written age-verification policy such as ‘No ID, No Sale’, Challenge 21, or Challenge 25.
• Make sure staff understand and sign the policy.
• Accept only secure photographic ID such as a passport or driving licence. (Electronic images are not acceptable.)
• Give formal training and regular refresher training; keep records.
• Display the legally required under-18 warning notice at the point of sale.
• Consider using till prompts.
• Keep a Refusal Log and train staff on how to record refusals.
• Supervise staff to make sure correct procedures are followed.

Tobacco Retailing Awareness Programme

To support retailers, an online awareness programme has been developed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council with funding from the Public Health Agency (PHA).

The programme offers:

• Clear guidance on legal requirements
• Quick assessment with realistic scenarios
• Convenient access on desktop, tablet or smartphone
• Short completion time (around 20 minutes)

Access the programme at: Tobacco Retailing Awareness Programme 
 

Contact us

If you are a business and would like more information, please contact Environmental Health (Tobacco Control) on:

T: 0330 137 4024

E: ehealth@nmandd.org