One in five vape shops selling addictive products to children, inspections reveal
Inspections reveal over 20% of vape shops in Ireland are illegally selling addictive vaping products to children despite a 2023 ban.Summary
More than a fifth of vape shops tested in Ireland are selling highly addictive vaping devices to children, violating a ban on sales to under-18s implemented in 2023. Between January and October of last year, 51 retailers were caught selling vapes to children, representing over 22% of the 224 shops inspected by the HSE’s National Environmental Health Service. Since March 2024, the HSE has conducted 'test purchasing' and found 40 retailers selling to minors in 2024, increasing to 51 out of 224 tests in the first ten months of last year. Retailers face fines up to €4,000 and potential six-month prison sentences. Additionally, 14 prohibition orders were issued for selling unregulated vapes, and 36 were issued following 496 inspections. A proposed law aims to ban disposable vapes and restrict flavors and packaging to reduce appeal to children, but some, like TD Malcolm Byrne, advocate for a complete ban on brightly colored and flavored devices.
(Source：The Irish Times)
