Ireland will be one 'of the last countries in Europe' to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s. Photograph: Nicholas T Ansell/PA Wire
Financial accounts filed in the Companies Registration Office show that his retail company, Ecirette Solutions Ltd, recorded a profit of €73,989 in the year to the end of April 2022, up from €26,869 the previous year. The shop sells vapes with rechargeable batteries that cost €20-€80 and can be refilled with e-liquids, and disposable vapes that cost about €9. While talking on a wet Wednesday morning, two middle-aged male customers visit the shop. One spends €20 and the other €35. Legally, the shop’s products can be sold to people under 18, but Ryan says its policy is not to.
Mark Curran, the owner of Vintage Vape Room and DRS Distro, is involved in the retail sale of e-cigarette products, their distribution, and the manufacture in Ireland of e-liquid. Ecig Store Ltd, owned by Gerard Devaney, of Bohermore, Co Galway, made a profit of €259,478 last year, up from €198,988 the previous year. Based in Townpark Centre, Tuam Road, Galway city, the company sells vapes and vape products online as well as in 12 retail outlets. Four are in Galway city, with others in Athlone, Roscommon, Oranmore, Ballinasloe, Athenry, Claremorris, Castlebar and Westport.
“For me, vaping products should not be on sale everywhere,” says Dunne. “They should only be sold in vaping shops and outlets that are licensed to sell tobacco.