Underage vaping crackdown: HSE confirms retailers convicted after test inspections in Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The issue of underage of vaping was raised at a recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum West and North West with a Sligo Councillor insisting, “We cannot ignore the serious health risks associated with nicotine addiction.”

Cllr Marie Casserly called for continued and robust enforcement of laws prohibiting the sale of vaping products to minors following a detailed update received from the HSE at the recent Regional Health Forum West and North West.

Cllr Casserly raised the issue directly with the HSE and sought an update on the measures being taken to prevent the sale of vaping products to under-18s.

The HSE confirmed that selling nicotine inhaling products to children became an offence in December 2023. It also revealed that seven test purchase inspections were carried out in the Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan area in both 2024 and 2025. Two retailers were convicted in 2024 following the sale of vaping products to children, while 27 inspections of retailers selling nicotine inhaling products were conducted locally during 2025.

Commenting on the response, Cllr Casserly said, “While I welcome the enforcement work being carried out by the HSE and Environmental Health Officers, the fact that retailers have been caught selling these products to children is deeply concerning. Vaping has become increasingly common among young people, and we cannot ignore the serious health risks associated with nicotine addiction.”

Many vaping products are specifically designed to appeal to younger people through colourful packaging, sweet flavours and aggressive marketing

“Many vaping products are specifically designed to appeal to younger people through colourful packaging, sweet flavours and aggressive marketing. Nicotine is highly addictive, particularly for developing brains, and early exposure can increase the risk of long-term dependence.”

Cllr Casserly said parents, schools, health services and communities all have a role to play in addressing the issue.

“We are seeing more and more young people taking up vaping, often believing it to be harmless. However, health experts continue to warn about the risks, including nicotine addiction, respiratory problems, reduced concentration, mood changes and the potential for vaping to act as a gateway to future tobacco use.”

“The adolescent brain is still developing, and nicotine can affect attention, learning, memory and impulse control. What may start as experimentation can quickly become an addiction that is difficult to break.”

Cllr Casserly is encouraging members of the public to report any retailer suspected of selling vaping products to children by contacting the HSE National Environmental Health Service - (071) 9321356 or email sligo.peho@hse.ie.

“Parents, teachers and members of the public all have a role to play in protecting young people. If you are aware of a retailer selling vapes to minors, I would strongly encourage you to report it. These laws are there to protect children, and they must be enforced.”

“Protecting children and young people must remain our priority. I fully support strong enforcement of the law, increased inspections, public awareness campaigns and education initiatives to ensure young people fully understand the risks of vaping and nicotine addiction. The legislation is now in place, and we must ensure it is properly enforced.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.