Cabinet will today consider new laws aimed at banning the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s.
The legislation would also ban the sale of tobacco products from self-service vending machines and at locations and events intended for children.
The proposals, brought forward by the Health Minister Simon Harris, would introduce a new licensing system for all tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products.
Authorities will be handed new powers to enforce regulations – including fixed-penalty notices and the power to publish a list of non-compliant retailers.
Retailers will also face an annual fee for the new licence.
It will replace the old system which saw retailers paying a one-off fee – equivalent to the cost of four to five packets of cigarettes.
The Department of Health has said the new system will better reflect "the serious nature of the product to be sold."
Minister Harris said tobacco use causes 6,000 deaths every year in Ireland and is estimated to cost the State a total of €10.7bn in healthcare.
