Number of vape shops in Limerick City 'hugely concerning', says minister of state Niall Collins

The Limerick TD's comments come after a youth vaping and nicotine prevention campaign was launched by the HSE.

Fianna Fáil minister of state Niall Collins has spoken out about the “hugely concerning” number of vape shops in Limerick City.

The Limerick TD's comments come after a youth vaping and nicotine prevention campaign was launched by the HSE.

At the end of last month, research found that vaping is likely to cause lung and oral cancer. It urged regulators to act now rather than wait decades for a definitive level of risk.

“I think it's hugely concerning. Vaping is disgusting, it's antisocial," Mr Collins told the Irish Examiner.

"As a Government, we need to do more to legislate, to narrow the availability and the usage of vaping.

“It’s a new phenomenon and, unfortunately, vaping is way ahead of where the legislation needs to be. It is concerning that a lot of new vaping shops have opened in Limerick City. They’re taking up retail spaces, we would like to see another mix of retail in our city centre.” 

Limerick chief councillor Catherine Slattery had claimed vape shops “are taking over” Limerick City. 

In response to her motion, the council confirmed vape and mobile shops would be excluded from receiving council funding this year to move into vacant properties.

On Limerick City's O’Connell St, signs on a new retail space due to open read: “Coming soon. Relax, it’s not a coffee and vape shop."

High vacancy rate

According to the chief economist and director of policy at Limerick Chamber, Seán Golden, the issue is about the high vacancy rate in the city centre.

“On average for the last number of years, we have had a 20% commercial vacancy rate around the city centre, one of every five commercial premises are vacant," Mr Golden said.

“When you have that kind of vacancy, everything else becomes so much more observable."

Mr Golden noted the number of vape shops or coffee shops would not be as “obvious” if “we had a thriving city centre” with a 5% vacancy rate.

“We don't have a hidden vacancy; I think that is one of the compounding factors when we think there's an over-saturation of one business versus another.

“There definitely seems to be a demand for them, they wouldn't be there otherwise. You either have a vape shop and some people are not happy with it, or you potentially have a vacant premises.” 

Online trade

He added some vape shops in Limerick City trade online and use their city centre location as a base of operations.

“I remember the debate we're having with the vape shops now was about coffee shops five years ago," he said.

"I'm wondering what the next step is going to be. Is it going to be barbers or pizzerias? I see barbers catching some stick as well at times.

“The city centre could do it a bit more TLC, and it amplifies other aspects than of the city centre that some people might feel are positive or negative."

In response to a query, a spokesperson from Limerick City and County Council said: “There are no restrictions on the number of vape shops trading in the city centre. 

"In the rates incentive scheme for vacant properties 2026, there is a specific exclusion on vape shops applying for this scheme.”