A vaping company has been fined €500 for the sale of a nicotine inhaling product to a child in Ballinasloe.

Vaporwave of Lurga, Gort, pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to section 28 (1) (b) of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling) Act 2023, which states it did sell by retail, or cause to be sold by retail, a nicotine inhaling product to a child.

Ballinasloe District Court was told the sale took place Vaporwave, St Michael’s Square, Townspark, Ballinasloe on April 16, 2025.

The prosecution was taken by the HSE Environmental Health Services based at Galway Business Park, Dangan.

Solicitor for the HSE, Barry Kelleher, said that on the date on question, a 16-year-old child entered the business, and the sale of a product took place without the child being asked for identification.

Mr Kelleher said the HSE had written to local businesses informing them that controlled purchases would be carried out in the area.

Defence solicitor, Gearoid Geraghty, told the court the employee who conducted the sale no longer works at the business and the remaining employees have been given appropriate training.

Judge James Faughnan imposed a €500 fine and awarded the HSE costs of €1200.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme