The Government is considering a further clampdown on vape shops, with proposals that could give local councillors greater powers to prevent them from opening in towns.
Junior planning minister John Cummins has asked officials to examine whether national planning rules need to change, amid concerns about the rapid growth of vape shops and potential links to money laundering by criminal gangs.
More than 5,100 licences have been granted by the HSE for shops selling vapes and tobacco since new licensing rules were introduced last February.
Seanad leader and Fine Gael Senator Garret Ahearn says he intends to introduce legislation to give councils greater control over the number of vape shops opening in their areas, arguing that their rapid expansion is having a significant impact on town centres, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
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