The case against Sultan Barbers, based at Shaftesbury Square, was taken by Belfast City Council and heard at Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

Following complaints to Belfast City Council that Sultan Barbers was selling tobacco products to children, the council’s Tobacco Control Officers organised test purchase exercises. During these exercises cigarettes were sold to a child volunteer, despite the shop not being registered to sell tobacco and nicotine products.

Under the Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, it is illegal for a retailer to sell either tobacco products or nicotine inhaling products (including e-cigarettes and vapes) to anyone under 18. In addition, the shop was not registered to sell these products.

In addition to the three-year Restricted Premises Order, a Restricted Sales Order was also issued against the business owner, Mr Sultan Alsalem Alhamada, preventing him from selling tobacco and nicotine inhaling products from any location for a period of three years.

Tobacco and nicotine-inhaling product legislation in Northern Ireland is enforced by district council Tobacco Control Officers, who support businesses to follow good practice and comply with the law.

In Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency’s 2025 research into vaping habits amongst young people indicated that 15% of children and teens vape regularly, and a fifth have tried a vape at least once. Of those who do vape regularly, only half reported having any issues purchasing nicotine inhaling products.

Health professionals agree that children and young people should not vape – these products can be highly addictive and cause damage to developing lungs and brains. The potential harm of long-term vaping is yet to be fully understood.

The post Ban for Belfast barber shop illegally selling tobacco and nicotine products first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Cited as an alignment of approaches across the UK with each nation progressing its own legislation, the ban was introduced to deliver “shared health and environmental benefits” while also providing clarity for businesses which had been selling single use vaping products.

However, new data has suggested that the ban has not worked as intended and has instead pushed some vapers towards illicit products or a return to smoking.

Ahead of the ban coming into effect last June, NR had spoken to a number of retailers across Northern Ireland with many stating they had spent time selling their single use stock in order to avoid commercial losses, while also introducing the new compliant vapes early in an attempt to rebuild customer bases.

Almost all of those we had spoken to had serious concerns about illicit vapes and the increase in black market sales.

Twelve months on, a survey of 6000 adults, conducted by Opinium for ELFBAR has found that one in six of those who previously used single-use vapes had relapsed to smoking or started smoking more, with the survey identifying a gradual increase in smoking prevalence: 16% of respondents say they now regularly smoke, compared with 15% in December 2025 and 14% in December 2024.

However, the survey also found that seven in 10 (72%) of daily vapers had switched to reusable vapes, with 79% buying refills each time, while 77% said reusable products helped them cut back or quit smoking.

Elsewhere, a separate survey from Haypp, found that 35% of respondents said they had purchased a disposable vape since the ban was introduced, indicating an active black market for the product.

The main sources for the purchase of illicit disposable vapes are corner shops/convenience stores (51%); car boot sales/market stalls (35%); independent vape shops (28%) and friends or family members (28%).

Additionally, the survey found that the ban has resulted in some reduced demand for vapes, with 61% of respondents saying they have reduced how much they vape and 8% said they had quite vaping altogether.

The data has highlighted a shift in consumer behaviour, with the survey showing that some vapers have replaced disposable vapes with traditional cigarettes (41%); nicotine pouches/snus (44%); refillable vapes (17%) and chewing tobacco (12%).

“By introducing a blanket ban, the government has inadvertently fuelled the black market and, most concerningly, pushed 41% of those who have reduced their vaping to cigarettes,” said Dr Marina Murphy, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at Haypp.

“While it is positive to see 44% moving to tobacco-free alternatives such as nicotine pouches, we must acknowledge that the negative outcomes from the ban far outweigh the positive. As the government begins to implement the Tobacco and Vapes Act, the lesson from the disposable vapes ban is that blanket bans do not work.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE INCLUDING REACTION FROM RETAILERS IN THE JUNE-JULY ISSUE HERE

The post Impact of disposable vapes ban a year later first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

News of the new store coming to the area gained attention as it marks the retailer’s first supermarket in Omagh.

The new supermarket, which will open in Great Northern Retail Park, will create approximately 140 jobs in the local area and will be Sainsbury’s 13^th store in the region.

While acknowledging that competition from retailers is good for consumers, some local independent retailers have voiced their concerns that the planning application has been rushed through without full consideration being given to its impact on the local area.

There were also concerns raised that a store of this size would only compound an already busy traffic junction at the site, with independent retailers telling NR they were very worried this would lead to further traffic congestion backing into the town centre.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s told NR they had been unaware of any issues surrounding the planning application and its subsequent approval.

“The development has been approved via a thorough planning process, with both Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the Department for Infrastructure concluding that planning permission should be granted,” the spokesperson told NR in a statement.

They added they would continue to work closely with all stakeholders as they work to open the store later this year.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has been approached for comment.

You can read the full story in the August issue of Neighbourhood Retailer coming soon.

The post Planning approval process for new Omagh Sainsbury’s store questioned first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

He succeeds Geoff Byrne, who will move to Andrew’s role as CEO of The Booker Group, with his appointment also taking effect on 31^st August.

The announcement was made by Tesco Group, which said the appointments reflect the company’s continued focus on developing leadership talent across the Group, as well as building on the strong momentum in both businesses.

Andrew Yaxley previously served as CEO of Tesco Ireland from 2015 to 2018 and led the business through a period of significant transformation and growth. He subsequently joined the Tesco Group leadership team as Chief Product Officer before becoming CEO of Booker, the UK’s leading food and drink wholesaler.

In recent years, he has helped drive strong growth at Booker and further strengthen its position in a highly competitive market.

Geoff Byrne brings extensive experience in senior leadership roles to Booker, most recently as CEO of Tesco Ireland and Northern Ireland, where he led a period of sustained growth, investment, and market share gains, while further strengthening the business’s position with customers and communities across Ireland.

The retailer said that both Geoff and Andrew will continue to form part of the Tesco Group Executive Committee.

‘Developing talent across our Group and creating opportunities for leaders to bring their experience into different parts of the business is a key strength of Tesco’

Group CEO Ken Murphy spoke of his delight at the appointments and said he was looking forward to the next chapter.

“Tesco Ireland & Northern Ireland are both great businesses with talented teams and ambitious plans for the future. Developing talent across our Group and creating opportunities for leaders to bring their experience into different parts of the business is a key strength of Tesco,” he said.

“Andrew and Geoff have each made a huge contribution in their current roles. Their experience, knowledge and track record make them the right leaders for the next chapter for Booker and Tesco Ireland & Northern Ireland.”

Andrew Yaxley said he was delighted to be returning to Tesco Ireland and looked forward to building on the momentum already in place.

“Under Geoff’s leadership, the business has delivered excellent progress, growing its position in the market while continuing to serve customers and communities across Ireland and Northern Ireland. I’m excited to lead the business through its next chapter,” he said.

Geoff Byrne said he was incredibly proud of what has been achieved at Tesco Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“The business is in a strong position, with a talented team, a clear strategy and strong momentum. Booker is a fantastic business with a unique position in the market, and I’m excited to work with colleagues there to build on its many strengths,” he said.

“Andrew is an outstanding leader who knows the Irish business incredibly well, and I wish him every success.”

The post New CEO announced for Tesco Ireland and Northern Ireland first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

It’s time to start the countdown to this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards! We are delighted to begin sharing our wonderful sponsors in our special feature, Sponsor Spotlight. Here, we find out more about our sponsor Philip Morris Limited (PMI), who are sponsoring the CTN of the Year award.

Championing our retail partners is central to our mission to build a smoke-free future, which is why we are delighted to be sponsoring the Confectionery, Tobacco and Newsagent (CTN) of the Year at the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

As cigarette sales decline and more adult smokers look for alternatives to cigarettes, smoke-free products are the next generation of innovation. Growth is strong when retailers can offer real choice across categories and can responsibly meet the needs and expectations of every adult smoker as they switch away from cigarettes.

We are supporting our retail partners with our multi-category portfolio to stand out against competitors and satisfy the evolving adult consumer demand.

Paul Dufourne, Director of Commercial Operations at PML, the UK and Ireland affiliate of PMI said: ‘We are looking forward to collaborating with Neighbourhood Retailer to recognise and reward the exceptional CTN stores in Northern Ireland.

“We wish the best of luck to all nominees and hope you have a fantastic night of celebration.”

DON’T MISS OUT ON BEING THERE – BOOK YOUR TABLE AT THE 2026 NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER AWARDS HERE!

The post Philip Morris International – a global smoke-free champion first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.