How vaping went from anti-smoking saviour to being ‘cool’ among kids

It’s a €200m business with about a third of children aged 13 to 16 doing it. John Meagher and Arlene Harris talk to health experts and vapers finding it hard to break the habit

'I smoked cigarettes myself for many years and vaping helped me to stop. But I am still vaping' - Founder of Ecirette Megastore Alex Pescar

John Meagher and Arlene Harris

Anyone keen to get a sense of how vaping has taken hold of Ireland should take a short walk down Talbot Street in Dublin’s north inner city.

As you walk with your back to the Spire towards Connolly Station, there are no fewer than four dedicated vaping shops, and a further two retail outlets with brightly coloured vapes prominent in their windows. Factoring in supermarkets and convenience stores, there are at least a dozen locations on this 500m stretch of street where vapes — or e-cigarettes as they are sometimes known — can be purchased.