The move is part of a series of measures included in the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: “This necessary change will reduce the availability of tobacco products. Sometimes children have been able to access these harmful products, this is unacceptable, and this ban will ensure that this can no longer happen.

“This is another significant milestone in implementing our national tobacco control policy. The ban aligns with our broader public health strategy to reduce and prevent tobacco and nicotine use in society and ultimately save lives.”

Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, the minister of state with responsibility for public health, wellbeing and the national drug strategy, added: “Protecting the health of our young people is at the heart of this legislation.

“We are cutting off an avenue of easy access that has been shown to contribute to early experimentation and long-term addiction. The health of our children comes first, and prevention remains one of our most powerful tools for building a healthier Ireland.”

Catherine Cosgrove, HSE regional chief environmental health officer, added: “The HSE’s National Environmental Health Service welcomes the implementation of this legislation.

“To prepare for this we communicated with business representative groups working in this area and made them aware of the new legislation and what it means for their members.

“Environmental Health Officers are fully committed to the protection of public health through the enforcement of tobacco control legislation.

“Our staff will conduct inspections nationally to monitor compliance and will follow up appropriately on any breaches.”