Multiple vape shops in Dublin are currently selling products that breach EU regulations, according to a recent investigation.

The Journal Investigates revealed in an article that undercover reporters were able to buy vapes from some Dublin shops that had too much e-liquid in them or were out of date.

Under EU regulations, disposable vapes can only have two millilitres of nicotine containing e-liquid.

However, vapes containing up to nine times that amount were found for sale.

The report found that over 80% of shops visited sold the undercover team a disposable vape that breached regulations.

Apart from containing more liquid than the legal limit, the majority of vapes purchased lacked proper health warnings.

Vape display. Image: eter dazeley / Alamy Stock Photo

Irish Heart Foundation spokesperson Mark Murphy said that the health implications were particularly concerning for young people.

"We know that nicotine has such an impact on adolescent brain development," he said.

"So, if the nicotine content is higher than the regulated amount, we know that can have an even bigger impact and can really strenghthen the addiction, so that's what we're really concerned about.

"Obviously, we don't want any young people to be using vapes but we're really worried about these illegal vapes that are breaching - by quite a considerable margin - the EU regulations."

Respobsible Vaping Ireland response

Responsible Vaping Ireland issued a statement in response to the report calling on the Government to fund enforcement on vaping regulations and to prioritise the prosecution of those selling vapes to under 18s.

"While we have regulations on vaping products, it is clear that more needs to be done to enforce the law, including the new retail licensing system for vaping products which will be rolled out next year," a spokesperson said.

"Responsible Vaping Ireland report has long called for more resourcing to the HSE Environmental Health Services, to increase the number of inspections of vaping products, as well as more test purchase checks in retail to prevent the sale of vapes to under 18s."

In February 2026, a new licensing system will see retailers have to pay an annual fee of €800 to sell vapes and €1,000 to sell tobacco.

Main image: A vape shop window, 12-3-24. Image: peter dazeley / Alamy