Councillor's concern over proliferation of vape shops in Mayo towns

A Ballyhaunis councillor is calling on Mayo County Council to do something to stop the proliferation of vape shops in the county.

Fine Gael Cllr Alma Gallagher raised the matter at the October meeting of the local authority, noting that Claremorris Chamber of Commerce had also highlighted the issue recently.

"People are concerned about the precedent this type of planning is setting for our towns," she said.

Cllr Gallagher queried whether existing legislation provides sufficient safeguards in terms of the number of outlets permitted to sell nicotine products in an area, stating there seems to be no consideration given to the number of such shops in a town or their proximity to schools or youth facilities.

“How can the HSE pursue policies aimed at nicotine prevention while we then have a licensing system that is not considering the impact of vape shops in concentrated geographical areas?” 

She asked that the council write to the Minister for Health seeking a review of the licensing legislation to ensure that all state agencies are working together rather than independently on the matter, adding: “I know there is huge concern among our retailers when we talk about revitalising our town centres and vape shops are not part of that.” 

Council chief executive Kevin Kelly said there are two provisions in the Mayo County Development Plan to address a proliferation of vape shops in towns in Mayo. However, he said he would also welcome “a strengthening of planning at national level to give us a greater say on what happens on the main streets of our towns".

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.