‘It will send ex-smokers back to cigarettes’ - Louth vape shop owner criticises flavour ban
Eoin O'Boyle, owner of OB Vape in Drogheda, criticises the Seanad's vape flavour ban, saying it will close his shop and push ex-smokers back to cigarettes.Summary
Eoin O'Boyle, owner of OB Vape, an independent family-run vape shop in Drogheda, has criticised the vape flavour ban passed by the Seanad on Wednesday. The ban, which received 28 votes in favour out of 35, will restrict vape flavours to only "Tobacco" and "Unflavoured", eliminating fruit, dessert, drink, sweet, menthol, and mint flavours, and banning descriptors like "Ice", "Cool", and "Fresh". O'Boyle argues this will force his shop and most independent Irish vape shops to close, push ex-smokers back to cigarettes, create a black market, and benefit big tobacco and big pharma. He supports tough regulations such as plain packaging and enforcement against underage sales, but not a flavour ban. He urges the Minister for Health to add menthol and other adult flavours by regulation before the ban takes effect.
(Source：Louth Live)
