Vapers Call for Shops to Check IDs of All Teens Seeking Vapes

14% of people in Ireland believe that the ban on the sale of vapes to under 18s is being sufficiently enforced throughout the country.

The independent survey, carried out by Amarach, found the belief that those selling vapes were not seeking appropriate evidence from young people confirming they are 18 years or over.

Respect Vapers, which represents over 300,000 adults who vape to quit smoking, is concerned with the results and ask the retail trade to make sure under 18s do not have access to vapes.

“In fairness to the shops, they are good at keeping vapes away from teenagers. We accept that the survey was carried out in May, a few months after the new law was passed and shops may now have new procedures in place to check IDs.”

“The survey found teens will try vapes because they have easy access and want to imitate their peers. Our fear is that if we allow teens easy access to vapes, the overall benefit of vapes in helping adults it quit smoking will be diminished.”

“We believe that while there is an onus on the retail outlets to check IDs, it is also important that parents play their part in keeping children away from vapes.”

“Adult vapers are ‘tobacco quitters, not starters’. Many had tried for decades to quit cigarettes and only succeeded with flavoured vapes. As a result, almost 200,000 smokers have quit thanks to vapes,” said Ken Heffernan.