Wexford Council Notes Legislative Limits on Restricting Town Centre Vape Shops
Friday 25 September 2026
Local authorities cannot restrict specific town centre retail outlets such as vape shops without new legislation, Wexford's chief executive has stated.
Local councils cannot restrict vape shops without new legislation governing specific retail uses in town centres, Wexford's chief executive has stated.
Responding to calls from the Taoiseach to restrict vape stores, Wexford councillors and Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe highlighted that the local authority currently lacks the statutory authority to block specific retail formats.
Mr Taaffe noted that fresh national legislation would be required before councils receive powers to determine the precise types of retail premises permitted to operate in town centres.
The exchange underscores the current statutory limits faced by local planning authorities when seeking to influence the specific commercial makeup of town centre retail units.