Vape Shop Proliferation, a national conversation (at last)

I was pleased to see the Taoiseach Micheal Martin echo my sentiments when he expressed concern at the proliferation of vape shops in many of our towns.

Examiner Article: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41908267.html

He said he would hope that councils would be able to regulate this. This was what I was asking for with my motion at the start of this year.

One report on my motion: https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/calls-for-changes-to-planning-law-to-clamp-down-on-vape-shops-in-louth-6611525

I wanted Councils to be given the power to reclassify Vape Shops as a disctinct category, requring planning and enabling council regulation - such as exists with gambling shops and take aways - so we'd have control over where they go.

At least now it is a national conversation and the method I suggested, is being considered as one tool to tackle this spread. But as of yet, Councils do not have these powers. We are much too reactive at times in this country. So I'd say to the Taoiseach, make it happen! Get the planning laws changed and let us intervene in an area that so many of our residents are asking us to do something!