Call for ban on single use vapes

Businesses within County Cavan that sell single use vapes came under fire at a recent meeting of the Cavan Local Community Safety Partnership.

Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) requested the partnership look at legislation for an “outright ban” on single use vapes and asked that this would also cover methods now being used to make these vapes multi-use products, such as installing a filter.

He also requested that retailers selling vapes be subject to more monitoring, alleging.

“These shops are selling vapes to children as young as six years old” meanwhile “we don’t know what is in them.”

“Whose responsibility is it to go after that chipper or phone shop [selling these vapes]?” he asked, also questioning if it is the responsibility of Customs and Revenue officers to issue fines to retailers in breach of the legislation. We have 13-year-olds that are addicted to vapes,” he claimed.

Cllr Fay called for a cessation programme for children “addicted” to vapes, meanwhile he also asked the group to write to the Minister for Health to “keep the pressure on” for a ban on single use vapes.

Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF) agreed with the motion, and said she too has “a lot of concerns” in relation to vaping. She urged those gathered to enter a shop selling vapes on a Friday afternoon when secondary schools in Cavan have a half day, and predicted they will see “children gathered”.

She described news reported in The Anglo-Celt that two schools in Cavan and Monaghan had to seek treatment for two young people who became ill after smoking vapes suspected to be filled with illegal drugs as “frightening”.

“I wouldn’t like to be rearing young children now,” she said, while adding that the situation has become “serious” when school children are being hospitalised.

Cllr TP O’Reilly (FG) agreed they should be “keeping the pressure on” in relation to vapes, surmising: “Vape shops serve no purpose that I can see.”

He said the “same commitment and will” shown by those behind the ban on indoor smoking is now needed on vapes.

Cllr Damien Brady (SF) also supported the motion, calling for more “education” for parents on the dangers of vaping.

“Until the message is out there children are going to continue vaping,” he believes.

TUSLA’s Area Manager Lisa Anderson said the issue is a “top priority” for their Children and Young People’s Service Committee’s (CYPSC) programme, adding that vaping is “definitely a huge concern”.

Meanwhile, Aoife Bailey from the HSE said the issue “has been raised” previously.

Superintendent John Callanan told the meeting is a body of work to be done in terms of education, and an enforcement element also, with An Garda Síochána “not be found wanting” when it comes to tackling their sale to underage persons.

He informed the room there are prosecutions currently underway, and expects more in the coming months.

“We will play our part,” he assured, while also acknowledging “good and responsible practice” among retailers.