‘My shop won’t survive’: Drogheda vape owner fears flavour ban

A Drogheda vape shop owner fears his business will not survive a ban on vape flavours, warning that the restrictions could also push some customers towards unregulated products or back to cigarettes.

Eoin O’Boyle, who has run the independent, family-owned OB Vape in Southgate Shopping Centre for eight years, said the proposed restrictions would leave specialist retailers struggling to survive and could have unintended consequences for adult customers who have switched from smoking.

The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 has passed through the Dáil and, following its progression through the Seanad this week, is moving closer to becoming law.

Under the proposed restrictions, only the flavour names “Tobacco” and “Unflavoured” will be permitted on vapes. Fruit, dessert, drink, sweet, mint and menthol flavours will be prohibited, as will terms such as “Ice”, “Cool” and “Fresh”.

The legislation also provides for standardised packaging, with devices, bottles, boxes and caps required to use a prescribed colour, alongside restrictions on vape advertising in shops and online.

A 12-month transition period is provided for the flavour restrictions, with the changes expected to affect products on sale in Ireland around November or December 2027, depending on the commencement timeline.

Mr O’Boyle said he feared the restrictions would leave his business with too little choice to offer customers.

“There is no version of my shop that survives selling one tobacco flavour and a wall of identical devices,” he said.

“When this ban comes in, OB Vape will almost certainly have to close, and so will most of Ireland’s independent, Irish-owned vape shops.”

He also warned that removing flavours preferred by adult customers could have consequences beyond the vaping industry.

“Some of my customers are in their seventies and eighties. They smoked for decades and finally quit with a flavour they actually enjoy. Take that away and a lot of them will go back to cigarettes. That’s not a health policy,” he said.

O’Boyle argued that restricting the range of products available through legitimate retailers could create demand for illegal alternatives, although the scale of any potential increase in illicit sales or return to smoking remains uncertain.

He believes larger tobacco companies could benefit if specialist vape shops disappear, leaving consumers with fewer places to buy vaping products.

The business owner said he supports stronger regulation to protect young people, including enforcement against underage sales and measures to prevent vaping products being displayed alongside sweets and other items likely to appeal to children.

His objection, he said, is to removing flavours used by adult customers rather than tightening enforcement of existing rules.

“The Minister still has the power to add flavour names by regulation before this comes in. I’m asking her to add menthol and other adult flavours,” he said.

“It’s the one thing left that could stop thousands of people going back to smoking.”

The legislation forms part of wider Government efforts to regulate vaping products amid concerns about nicotine addiction and their appeal to young people. The Government’s stated aim is to reduce the accessibility and attractiveness of these products to children and teenagers.

Mr O’Boyle’s warnings come after he told the Meath Chronicle earlier this month that an increase in e-liquid tax could push some customers back towards cigarettes or the black market. He now believes the proposed flavour restrictions could place further pressure on independent retailers.