An independent Councillor for Wexford has said local authorities need greater powers to control the proliferation of vape shops on the high street. 

Last month, the Oireachtas passed the Single-Use Vapes Act, which restricts the sale and display of e-cigarettes. 

However, Cllr Leonard Kelly believes the Government needs to go further and allow councils the ability to ban certain types of shops. 

On The Claire Byrne Show, Cllr Kelly said Wexford has always had an “amazing mix” of shops on its Main Street. 

“But what we've been noticing over the last number of years and especially probably in the last year to two years is a large increase in the number of vape shops,” he said. 

“Maybe one or two other types of retail shops, which are very much setting the tone for our streets.

“And, as I said, they're appearing almost on a weekly basis.”

Cllr Kelly continued that it was “refreshing” to hear the British Government say it is considering giving local councils the powers to restrict new vape shops. 

He added that at present there is “nothing” the council can do when his constituents complain to him.

“I don't think having a large number of the same type of shop is adding to the shopping experience for people,” he suggested.

“It's not encouraging people to come into the towns; then there's obviously the other issues which have been presented in the media in the last number of months, in relation to what type of products are being sold in these shops.

“That's a very specific issue that needs to be tackled and needs to be tackled with urgency.”

The HSE warns that people who vape are risking damage to their mental health, as well as their internal organs. 

For Cllr Kelly, the health of his constituents is his overriding concern. 

“It would seem that you would need to have a degree in chemistry to try to understand what type of ingredients are in these products,” he said. 

“So, it's very clear over the last number of years that vape shops have been targeting younger audiences, whether that be in terms of the signage that they're using, whether it be in terms of the mix of products that they're selling. 

“But when the HSE study, they're clearly stating that there are products being sold that have everything from psychoactive elements to other ones that are not good for people's general health.”

Main image: A vape shop. Picture by: Alamy.com.