Dereliction campaigners have hit out at a "worrying trend" in Cork after highlighting that there are 35 vape and phone shops in the city centre. In response to criticisms of the trend, Cork City Council said current legislation does not allow it to distinguish between these stores and other retail outlets during the planning process. “That’s a lot of vaping and phone repairing within a 1km city centre radius. Phone and vape stores were raised during discussion of the motion, and Mr Ó Donnabháin said: “This is an issue with legislation — we don’t have the remit to control it. Labour councillor Peter Horgan previously said the council should not be allowing “garish” vape shop fronts.

Source: Irish Examiner March 12, 2026 14:34 UTC