Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady and Bray County Councillor John Ward have raised serious concerns about the growing number of vape shops opening in Bray and the impact they are having on the town centre and the wider community.
Many of the products on display are brightly coloured and appear to be designed to appeal to a younger audience. A number of these shops are also selling confectionery and prominently advertising sweets in their windows, which is deeply concerning. This creates the impression that children are being encouraged into premises whose primary purpose is the sale of nicotine products.
Wicklow TD John Brady said “The concentration of vape shops in Bray is becoming a matter of genuine public concern. Many of these businesses use brightly coloured displays and confectionery that appear designed to attract younger people into premises selling nicotine products. That is something we cannot ignore.”
“Concerns have been heightened by a significant Garda operation carried out in Bray earlier this year. On 25 February 2026, Gardaí attached to the Bray and Wicklow, together with the Bray Drugs Unit, executed a search warrant at a business premises in Bray under Section 26 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. During the operation, more than 1,400 vape products and edible items, with an estimated resale value of approximately €60,000, were seized on suspicion of containing substances controlled under recent amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Acts, including HHC and THC.
John Brady and John Ward said the seizure demonstrates why stronger oversight and regulation of the sector is required and why local authorities and enforcement agencies must remain vigilant.
In addition to concerns about the products being sold, they have also highlighted the poor quality and appearance of some shopfronts associated with these businesses. A growing number of premises feature cheap, garish signage that detracts from the character of Bray’s town centre and appears to contravene Wicklow County Council’s Shopfront Design Guidelines.
The two Sinn Féin representatives are calling on Wicklow County Council to take a more proactive approach by enforcing its existing shopfront policies and ensuring that businesses comply with the required standards.
Councillor John Ward added:
“The recent Garda seizure of suspected illegal vape products and edibles underline the importance of robust enforcement and proper oversight. While the vast majority of retailers operate within the law, there can be no tolerance for businesses selling products suspected of containing controlled substances. Equally, we cannot allow poor-quality shopfronts and garish signage to undermine the appearance and character of Bray’s town centre. Wicklow County Council must ensure that its own planning and shopfront guidelines are properly enforced.”
“County Councillors should also have greater powers to control the types of shops that can open in towns, including the ability to restrict the number, location and type of shop. This would help councils protect town centres, maintain a balanced mix of businesses, and take local community needs into account when deciding what types of retail outlets are appropriate.”
Both representatives reiterated their call for Wicklow County Council to work proactively with An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies to ensure compliance with planning and shopfront standards, while supporting efforts to protect public health and the wellbeing of the local community. Ends
