Calls for 'firm action' and to introduce full vape ban in Kilkenny

Labour Party councillor and former Mayor of Kilkenny City, Cllr Seán Ó hArgáin, has called for this week's ban on the purchasing of vapes and nicotine products to be extended to a full ban on vapes, claiming that the government is moving at snail's pace, while the health of young people in particular, is in serious danger. 

A new ban has been introduced in Ireland prohibiting the sale of vapes, cigarettes and tobacco products. This new measure is not a wide scale ban on tobacco and nicotine products but rather affects people trying to purchase cigarettes, vapes and tobacco from self-service and vending machines which are found these vending machines are predominantly found inside pubs and nightclubs. 

It is a part of the government aim to reduce smoking prevalence in Ireland to under 5%. 

"The decision to ban the purchase of vapes through vending and other self-service machines is to be welcomed and comes on top of the government's ban on the purchase of vapes by those under 18," Cllr Ó hArgain said.

"It remains to be seen, however, what the impact of this on young people getting access to vapes has been. 

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"Vapes remain literally 'in our faces' in supermarkets, filling stations and in other stores, while at the same time cigarettes are hidden from public view in locked, plain cabinets. The government has so far utterly failed to follow the example of countries like Australia, where vapes are entirely banned, except by prescription from a doctor on solid medical grounds," he continued.

"While a number of vape shops have closed in Kilkenny City, we are a long way from the decisive action taken against head shops in 2010. The shops were closed overnight and their products banned. I was proud to lead that campaign in Kilkenny and I will continue to lead the campaign against vapes. I have already succeeded in such a ban becoming the official policy of the Labour Party. 

"I am particularly disappointed at the inaction of our Taoiseach Mícheál Martin was widely praised for his action in banning smoking in the workplace and public houses and nightclubs. Now, the great work he did is being rowed back by what I call the revenge of the tobacco industry," the local councillor stated.

"Let there be no doubt but that the tobacco industry is using vapes to win back our younger generation to the habits of their grandparents. The smoking areas of pubs and clubs are now filled with young people vaping and some establishments are even allowing vaping indoors. Putting an end to this would show that our state is serious about health protection.

"I am calling on Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to make good on her promises of a number of months ago and take firm action against the vaping industry," he added.

"In the meantime, I support the call by my colleague, Marie Sherlock TD, for the HSE to be given adequate resources to establish a programme of support for those wishing to quit vaping. many medical experts say that stopping vaping can be equally, if not more difficult as quitting smoking," Cllr Ó hArgain concluded.

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