Northern Ireland Executive

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s (DHSSPS) Consultation on ‘Strengthening Sanctions Against Retailers for Under-Age Sales of Tobacco Products’ was launched in December 2009. The DHSSPS has undertaken a “partial regulatory impact assessment” and considered six options, including a negative licensing system (option 4) and a measure which combines a registration scheme with a negative licensing system (option 6). DHSSPS recommends implementing option 6 in conjunction with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) scheme, giving District Councils the power to fine retailers found to be selling tobacco to under 18s.  The TMA submission supports option 4.