Ireland became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 5, 2006.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in indoor workplaces, public places, and on public transportation, with limited exceptions. The following places are exempted from the nearly comprehensive smoking ban: prisons; hotel guestrooms; and living accommodations in higher education facilities. In these places, managers, owners, or operators may designate smoking rooms.  Smoking is also restricted in outdoor places with a roof and more than 50 percent of the perimeter surrounded by one or more walls.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law provides for a comprehensive ban on advertising and promotion of tobacco products with a few limited exceptions, such as allowing point of sale advertising at shops that sell only tobacco. All forms of tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Smoked tobacco products must display one of 14 combined (text and picture) health warnings, occupying 65 percent of the front and back of the package. A general warning must occupy 50 percent of one lateral surface of the package and an information message must occupy 50 percent of the other lateral surface. There are three sets of 14 authorized combined warnings, which are to be rotated annually. Tobacco for oral use, other than chewing tobacco, may not be sold in Ireland. Chewing tobacco products must display one text-only warning occupying 32 percent of the two most visible surfaces of the package. Misleading packaging and labeling, which could include terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Legislation requiring standardized (plain) packaging was adopted in March 2015. All tobacco products manufactured after September 29, 2017 must be in plain packaging. Remaining stock already placed on the market may continue to be sold until September 29, 2018.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Ireland are below these recommendations.