Mayo Fine Gael candidate demands a halt to vape and sweet shops being set up together

Fine Gael’s General Election candidate for Mayo, Keira Keogh has expressed grave concerns about the opening of a vape and sweet shop in Westport, which sells both sweets and vaping products side by side.

Keira Keogh is calling for stricter regulations to ensure children are not exposed to the dangers of vaping through businesses that co-locate these products in prominent, high-footfall areas.

“I am deeply concerned that such a blatant example of targeting young people with harmful products has been allowed in our community,” Keira said.

“Positioning a sweet shop alongside a vape store in such a central location is not just irresponsible—it’s a public health risk. This isn’t just about signage or product placement; it’s about protecting the health and wellbeing of our children.”

The shop displays bold signage advertising American Candy and Vapes, which Keira says risks normalising vaping for children and teenagers. “The pairing of brightly packaged sweets with nicotine vapes is a dangerous combination that makes vaping seem harmless. This is already a growing concern for parents and teachers in Mayo, and we need to take action to address it,” she warned.

Contact has been made with Mayo County Council to ensure the matter is being fully investigated under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). “It’s important that developments like this comply with planning laws and don’t operate in ways that harm our communities,” she said.

If elected, Keira plans to champion updated legislation to tackle the growing issue of vaping among young people. “While current legislation prohibits the sale of vaping products at children’s events, it does not address the real-world issues of shops co-locating these products with sweets or other goods aimed at young consumers. I will fight for laws that require businesses to operate responsibly and put the health of our children first,” she pledged.

We must protect Mayo’s children from the harmful effects of vaping and to hold businesses accountable for their role in promoting these products.