Should a ban on vaping in the workplace be introduced? 

As Health Minister in 2004, Micheál Martin introduced a comprehensive ban on smoking in public places. 

More than two decades on, Fianna Fáil Councillor and Mayor of Tralee Mikey Sheehy has urged the Government to introduce similar legislation for vaping. 

Although the Taoiseach has previously labelled vaping “the revenge of the tobacco industry”, the Department of Health has told Cllr Sheehy there are no plans for further restrictions on the practise. 

“I’d have concerns that there are no current plans to regulate vaping in workspaces in Ireland,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“While I do welcome some of the initiatives that the Department are rolling out; outright banning disposable vapes, regulations in and around advertising and the type of advertising that can take place in and around vaping.” 

Cllr Sheehy said he does not want a complete ban on vaping, merely restrictions on where people can vape. 

“I’m just asking that individuals and employees have the right not to have vape aerosoles blown in their faces,” he said. 

“Whether they be in a workspace, whether they be in a bar.” 

A teen vaping on the street. Image: Steven Gill / Alamy

Cllr Sheehy added that vaping is increasingly common in pubs, while smokers have to go outside to light up. 

“If I go into my local bar inside in Tralee, there are quite a number of individuals who would openly vape inside in that bar,” he said. 

“And I understand there’s a difference between a workspace and maybe a hospitality workplace where people are going out to have a bite to eat and whatnot. 

“I feel in those spaces, people currently feel comfortable to vape and to openly vape inside of those spaces. 

“Again, it’s just the nature of vaping currently.” 

Despite this, some bars have put up signs asking people to vape outside. 

“I don’t think that burden of responsibility should lie with the individual establishment,” Cllr Sheehy said. 

“I think that smoking ban in 2004 was a landmark event, we were ahead of the curb globally in terms of that ban. 

“I think we’re lagging in this space at the moment - other countries have been very proactive in this space. 

“Holland being one where there’s an outright ban on smoking in workplaces.” 

In 2023, the Government banned children from buying vapes.

Main image: Men vaping. Picture by: Nick Ansell/PA Wire.