The Department of Health is launching a public consultation on laws relating to the sale of tobacco and non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes.

The drafting of this legislation was approved by the government in June.

The measures in the legislation are in keeping with recommendations contained in Ireland's policy on tobacco control - Tobacco Free Ireland.

They include the introduction of a licensing system for tobacco products and e-cigarettes and the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products from self-service vending machines.

The law will also ban the sale of tobacco products by those aged under 18 and the sale of e-cigarettes to, and by, under 18 year olds.

A consultation paper setting out the details of the measures is available here. The closing date for views is Friday, January 16th.

The online survey will be open until midnight on that day. A consultation report will be prepared and published on the department's website.