Time for new planning controls on vape shops, council says
Dublin councillors are urged to back new planning controls to restrict vape shop numbers and prevent clustering.Summary
Dublin city councillors are being urged to support calls for new planning controls on vape shops, a move initiated by Louth County Council. The motion seeks to give local authorities greater power to restrict their numbers and prevent clusters, arguing that vape shops currently fall under "general retail use" and lack a distinct planning category. This follows concerns from politicians, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, about their proliferation near schools and in town centres, and health concerns about youth access. Existing legislation does not address the planning status of vape shops. A similar past issue with adult/sex shops saw Dublin create specific policies in its Development Plan. Councillors argue that national legislation is needed to define what constitutes a vape shop and grant consistent control to all local authorities, rather than each creating its own definitions.
(Source：Dublin InQuirer)
