Debate contribution: Tobacco Retailer (Fixed Penalty) (Amount) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
Debate contribution by Mr Alan Robinson on .
- MLA
- Mr Alan Robinson
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 5 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Tobacco Retailer (Fixed Penalty) (Amount) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5773972
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The statutory rule is relatively technical, but it is an important part of ensuring that the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 can operate effectively in Northern Ireland. The regulations update the existing fixed penalty framework so that the offences and penalties that are applicable to tobacco, vaping and nicotine products align with the new legislation, and they revoke the previous 2021 regulations, which have now been superseded. It is important to emphasise that the statutory rule in itself does not introduce a new policy; rather, it provides the enforcement mechanism that is necessary to support measures that were already established through the Tobacco and Vapes Act. From 29 October, fixed penalty notices will apply to a range of offences, including the sale of vaping and nicotine products to under-18s. Further provisions will come into effect from January and March next year, including the new tobacco age of sale provisions and expanded retail registration requirements. As the Chair of the Health Committee said, the Committee considered those regulations at SL1 stage in June and September and agreed that it was content with the proposal. The Department has also confirmed that the changes are technical and consequential, with no additional cost implications for the Department. Ultimately, effective legislation requires an effective enforcement framework. The regulations provide that framework and ensure that Northern Ireland's fixed penalty arrangements will keep pace with the changes that are introduced by the 2026 Act. For those reasons, I am content to support the statutory rule.
248 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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