Last updated: June 13, 2025
Penalties
Sales Restrictions
Any person who violates provisions prohibiting the sale of single cigarette sticks or the sale of tobacco for oral use is subject to: (a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 3,000 Euros, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding 125,000 Euros, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.
Any person who violates provisions regulating tobacco sales by vending machine is subject, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding 3,000 Euros, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both.
In addition, for a retailer licensee who is convicted of violating the prohibition on the sale of tobacco for oral use, the court shall suspend the license as follows: (a) in the case of a summary conviction of a first offense, for a period of not less than seven days and not more than 30 days, (b) in the case of a summary conviction of a second or subsequent offense, for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than three months, or (c) in the case of a conviction on indictment of the offense, for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months.
Location-based Sales Restrictions
A person who violates provisions prohibiting sales at events aimed at children is liable on summary conviction to: (a) in the case of a first offense, a class B fine, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both, or (b) in the case of any subsequent offense, a class A fine, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both.
In addition, if a person is convicted of an offense, the court may order the person to pay the Executive the costs incurred in investigation, detection and prosecution of the offense.
Further, a court shall suspend the tobacco retail license: (a) in the case of a summary conviction of a first offense, for a period of not less than seven days and not more than 30 days, (b) in the case of a summary conviction of a second or subsequent offense, for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than three months, or (c) in the case of a conviction on indictment of the offense, for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months.
Minimum Retail Package Size
A person who violates minimum retail package size restrictions shall be liable to: (a) on summary conviction, a fine not exceeding 3,000 Euros, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, a fine not exceeding 125,000 Euros, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
In addition, a court shall suspend the tobacco retail license: (a) in the case of a summary conviction of a first offense, for a period of not less than seven days and not more than 30 days, (b) in the case of a summary conviction of a second or subsequent offense, for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than three months, or (c) in the case of a conviction on indictment of the offense, for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months.
Minimum Legal Sales Age
A person who violates the minimum legal sales age provisions shall be liable on summary conviction to: (a) in the case of a first offense, a class B fine, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both, (b) in the case of any subsequent offense, a class A fine, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both, or (c) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding 500,000 Euros or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.
In addition, if a person is convicted of an offense, the court may order the person to pay the Executive the costs incurred in investigation, detection and prosecution of the offense.
Further, a court shall suspend the tobacco retail license: (a) in the case of a summary conviction of a first offense, for a period of not less than seven days and not more than 30 days, (b) in the case of a summary conviction of a second or subsequent offense, for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than three months, or (c) in the case of a conviction on indictment of the offense, for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months.
