Northern Ireland

The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes other than in their original package. Therefore, the law prohibits the sale of single cigarette sticks.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 16 in that the law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes.

The law prohibits vending machine sales of tobacco products.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13, the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, and FCTC Art. 16 with respect to vending machine sales.

The law bans certain cross-border distance sales. This prohibition is interpreted as banning certain internet sales. The law further requires retailers who engage in permitted cross-border distance sales to use an age verification system and register with the competent authority. Absent an explicit ban on the sale of tobacco products through the internet, however, the requirement of an age verification system is not interpreted as prohibiting internet tobacco product sales. As some internet sales are permitted and others are not, the regulatory status, “Some Restrictions,” is given.

To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should prohibit all internet tobacco product sales as internet sales are an inherent form of tobacco advertising and promotion.

The production and sale of "tobacco for oral use" is banned. "Tobacco for oral use" is defined as "a tobacco product which is - (a) intended for oral use, unless it is intended to be inhaled or chewed; and (b) in powder or particulate form or any combination of these forms, whether presented in a sachet portion or a porous sachet, or in any other way." However, other types of smokeless tobacco products are permitted. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Some Restrictions" is given.

The law does not specifically prohibit the sale of waterpipe tobacco; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of waterpipe tobacco.

The law does not restrict the sale of tobacco products based on location; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products in schools/educational facilities.

The law does not restrict the sale of tobacco products based on location; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products on playgrounds.

The law does not restrict the sale of tobacco products based on location; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products in stadiums/arenas.

The law does not restrict the sale of tobacco products based on location; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products in healthcare facilities.

The law does not restrict the sale of tobacco products based on location; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco in cultural facilities.

The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes in packages of fewer than 20 sticks.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 16 with respect to the sale of small packets of cigarettes.

The production and sale of tobacco for oral use is prohibited. The law does not specify a minimum weight requirement for other types of smokeless tobacco products.

The law prohibits the sale of roll-your-own tobacco ("hand rolling tobacco") in a unit packet of less than 30 grams of tobacco.

The law requires retail traders in tobacco products to register in order to sell tobacco products.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 15 in that the law requires retailers to obtain a license or equivalent approval to sell tobacco products.