About the Register

Relevant Legislation


Section 37 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act, (as amended), provides for the establishment and maintenance by the Health Service Executive, National Tobacco Control Office of a register of all persons who carry on in whole or in part the business of selling tobacco products by retail.

The Public Health (Tobacco) (Registration) Regulations 2009 allow the National Tobacco Control Office to collect the information necessary for the establishment and maintenance of the Register.

What does this mean for retailers?


If you sell or intend to sell tobacco product by retail whether over the counter or from a self-service vending machine you must register with the NTCO.

  • All retailers wishing to sell tobacco products must register with the NTCO.
  • A person who proposes to commence the business of selling tobacco products by retail must register with the NTCO before they can sell tobacco products.
  • In relation to self-service vending machines, both the owner of the self-service vending machine(s) and the holder of a license for the sale of alcohol for a licensed premises or the person entered in the register of clubs (as an official of the committee of management or governing body of a registered club) in which the machine is located must register. Tobacco products can only be sold when both parties have registered and are entered on the register.
  • The registration number(s) issued by the NTCO, must be affixed to the closed container(s) or self-service vending machine(s) following registration.
  • To keep the register up to date you are required to notify the NTCO of any change in particulars. These can be submitted on line using a unique pin number which will issue following registration

All retailers wishing to sell tobacco products must register with the NTCO.