Overview
- Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia filed detailed opinions arguing the UK plan breaches the Windsor Framework and creates an unjustified barrier to the free movement of goods.
- The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would ban tobacco sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 and tighten rules on vaping and packaging across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
- Ministers notified Brussels of the legislation in August 2025, and the bill has cleared the House of Commons and reaches the House of Lords report stage on Tuesday.
- The UK Department of Health says the policy is fully compatible with treaty obligations and confirms it will apply in Northern Ireland, adding that a comprehensive response has been sent to the European Commission.
- Previous warnings from a former Northern Ireland legal chief and industry-commissioned advice by John Larkin KC highlight potential conflicts with EU law, underscoring the likelihood of further legal scrutiny.