Taoiseach wants councils to look at restricting vape shops in local towns
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin has suggested that local councils should use planning regulations to restrict the number of vape shops in towns. He characterized the vaping industry as a predatory extension of 'Big Tobacco' that targets young people.
Why it matters
The proposal reflects growing government concern over the public health impact of vaping and the aesthetic and social influence of vape retailers in urban centers.
THE TAOISEACH HAS said he wants local authorities to look at possibly restricting the “proliferation” of vape shops in local towns.
Speaking to reporters at Fianna Fáil’s think-in in Tullamore, Micheál Martin said he views the vaping industry as the “revenge of Big Tobacco” and that the use of planning should be considered to bring it under control.
Martin said that party believes local authorities should look at vapes from shops “from a planning perspective”, taking in their “impact” on a given street or a given town.
“This was done before in relation to other types of shops in the past,” Martin said.
Industry estimates say there are as many as 3,300 retailers selling vaping products across Ireland, although it’s not clear how many are specifically trading in vapes.
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