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As of February 1, 2022, local vaporizer/vape retailers in Northern Ireland are prohibited from selling nicotine vaping products to anyone under the age of 18. The age limit includes measures that prohibit anyone of legal age from purchasing any prohibited product on behalf of a minor.

Among the new restrictions established is an age limit for tobacco (which also applies to e-cigarettes) set at 18 years. This means that, starting February 1, retailers in Northern Ireland may not sell tobacco and nicotine products to anyone under the age of 18.

The age limit includes measures that prohibit anyone of legal age from purchasing any prohibited product on behalf of a minor. “It is an offense for an adult to buy, or attempt to buy, any tobacco product or, from 1 February 2022, any nicotine inhaling product (including e-cigarettes/vapes) on behalf of someone under the age of 18 (known as a proxy purchase),” the government announcement states.

Other restrictions specifically for product retailers include a requirement to register centrally and a ban on displaying products in their outlets. The government website lists fixed penalty notices and maximum fines for each offense as follows:

• Smoking in a smoke-free premises, work vehicle, or from 1 February 2022, a smoke-free private vehicle: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid within 15 days) for the person smoking, or a maximum fine of £1,000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
• Permitting smoking in a smoke-free premises or work vehicle if you have management responsibility: a maximum fine of £2,500 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
• From 1 February 2022, a driver permitting smoking in a smoke-free private vehicle: a fixed penalty notice of £50 for the driver, or a maximum fine of £2,500 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
• Failure to display 'no smoking' signs: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (reduced to £150 if paid within 15 days) for anyone who manages or occupies smoke-free premises or a work vehicle, or a maximum fine of £1,000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
• Selling tobacco products or, from 1 February 2022, nicotine inhaling products (including e-cigarettes/vapes) to someone under the age of 18: a fixed penalty notice of £250, or a maximum fine of £5,000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
• An adult buying, or attempting to buy, tobacco products or, from 1 February 2022, nicotine inhaling products (including e-cigarettes/vapes) on behalf of someone under the age of 18: a fixed penalty notice of £250, or a maximum fine of £5,000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
• Local councils are responsible for providing advice and enforcing age restrictions on the sale of smoke-free and tobacco/nicotine products in Northern Ireland.

Similar restrictions in the Republic of Ireland

Meanwhile, in mainland Ireland, the new Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill has also set the age limit for tobacco at 18. Additionally, the Bill has proposed a ban on the sale of tobacco products from temporary premises, events, or locations attended by children. During discussions related to the ban, Siobhain Brophy from the Tobacco & Alcohol Control Unit told the Oireachtas Health Committee (or the Irish legislature) that because 38% of people who try to quit smoking use e-cigarettes, banning them entirely would have negative consequences.

So that's the article for this occasion, hopefully, an article like this can provide new insights for you vapers. Of course, if you want to share and gain more knowledge about vape, you can come directly to the nearest Vapeboss retail store, where our Vaporista will assist you and provide a lot of information about the world of vape. Also, if you're low on vape supplies and find it difficult to buy them, you can contact our retail WhatsApp for purchases with a COD system. Because Vapeboss has been the most complete and trusted vape store since 2014, so whatever your vape needs are, they're definitely available there.

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Keep Calm and Vape Like a Boss and Always stay safe while vaping and always adhere to health protocols during the current pandemic. Have a nice day Bigboss!