Calls for changes to planning law to clamp down on Vape Shops in Louth

Independent councillor for Dundalk/Carlingford Ciarán Fisher said in some cases restaurants are being turned into Vape Shops

Published 6th Mar 2026, 20:30 BST Legislation to restrict the colours and images on packaging is at an advanced stage of drafting. Independent councillor for Dundalk/Carlingford Ciarán Fisher said in some cases restaurants are being turned into Vape Shops Sign up to our Louth Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Louth Live within your account.

Calls have been made for Louth County Council to clamp down on the establishment of vape shops across Louth.

It came at the February meeting of Louth County Council by Independent councillor for Dundalk/Carlingford Ciarán Fisher.

Cllr Fisher called on the local authority to examine planning regulations to make it more difficult for premises to be turned into vape shops.

He suggested one solution may be to change the type of retailer vape shops would fall under.

"There’s an opportunity to maybe do it in the planning and development regulations where we could define it as a different type of shop," he said.

The Independent councillor said that Louth County Council should have the relevant powers to make the relevant changes.

Cllr Fisher warned that there are cases in which shops, and in some cases restaurants are being bought and "flipped into another vape shop".

Read Next: Young people's wellbeing in Louth affected as sports cancellations labelled a 'real issue'

Thomas McEvoy, Deputy Chief Executive with Louth County Council said vape shops fall under a "generic retail" heading, and it cannot be determined which type of shop it is once a premises has been designated as retail.

However, he did say it could be addressed through the regulations, and suggested councillors could write to the relevant department.

Mr McEvoy confirmed Louth County Council does not have the powers under planning law and said it could offer technical advice for any letter that was sent by councillors.

Related topics: Louth Louth County Council Dundalk Ciarán Fisher Sign up to our Louth Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Louth Live within your account.