Tag: Scotland

Scotland Welcomes U.K. Generational Nicotine Ban

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Scotland Public Health Minister Jenni Minto has welcomed proposed legislation to ban tobacco sales to anyone born after Jan. 1, 2009, and allow for tougher measures on vaping.
The proposed legislation, which is U.K.-wide, would gradually increase the age of sale, making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009. The bill also includes powers to regulate displays, contents, flavors and retail packaging of vapes and nicotine products, allowing restrictions to target flavors marketed at children and to move vapes out of sight of children and away from products like sweets, according to the Scottish government.
The legislation will also remove existing provisions making it illegal for those under the age of 18 to purchase tobacco products.
The government previously published proposals to ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes, which, if agreed upon by the Parliament, would come into effect April 1, 2025.
“Scotland has been a world-leader on a range of tobacco control measures, and while there has been a steady reduction in the proportion of people smoking, we know it still damages lives and kills more than 8,000 people a year in Scotland,” said Minto. “Smoking is a huge burden on our NHS [National Health Service] and social care services and contributes significantly to health inequalities, which is why our goal is for a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034.
“Research suggests that almost one in five young people have tried vaping, and we’re particularly concerned about how flavors are used as an enticement to children and young people.
“We will now consider how to use these powers, if passed by Westminster, with the consent of the Scottish Parliament, to benefit public health. We will continue our four-nations approach to avoid any unnecessary regulatory divergence and to offer more certainty for business and consistency for consumers. Powers on vapes will be taken forward following further consultation and engagement.
“In addition, we were the first government to commit to taking action on single-use vapes and have now fulfilled our 2023 Program for Government commitment to consult on measures to tackle the environmental impact of single-use vapes.”
In accordance with the Sewel Convention, the bill will require the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament.
March 20, 2024
Scotland Closer to Banning Disposable Vapes
The sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland could be banned by the start of April 2025.
It follows a UK-wide consultation last year, with the date agreed by the devolved governments and Westminster.
The draft legislation – which is open for consultation until March 8 – is being taken forward in Scotland using powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, according to media reports.
The age limit for buying tobacco would also change under UK government plans.

Disposable vapes to be banned using devolved powers
Disposable vapes to be banned for child health
‘Massive’ increase in young Scots vaping, MSPs told
Each nation has introduced separate legislation banning the sale and supply of disposable vaping products.
Circular Economy Minister, Lorna Slater said the Scottish government was committed to reducing vaping among non-smokers and young people and tackling their environmental impact.
February 26, 2024
Grocer’s Lobby Wants ‘Nuanced Debate’ on Vapes
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) trade association has written to Scotland’s public health minister Jenni Minto MSP, following the Programme for Government announcement, which said restrictions on vaping in Scotland will be considered.
The SGF outlined a number of measures which it believes can reduce vaping among children, while also ensuring adult smokers looking to quit have access to alternative forms of nicotine, according to media reports.
It said packaging and naming of vape brands should be changed to make them less appealing to children, but said it opposes restrictions on flavor.
The SGF said flavor is shown to be the key factor which helps people switch from smoking to vaping – an alternative it argues is less harmful.
September 13, 2023
Scotland Moves Forward on Ban of Disposable Vapes

Scotland could ban disposable vapes under plans unveiled by the country’s first minister.
Campaigners have highlighted the environmental impact of disposable vaping products, which are often thrown on the ground after being used.
Concerns have also been raised around their growing popularity among young people, according to media reports.
Humza Yousaf said his government would hold a consultation on a single-use vape ban as he set out his priorities for the coming year.
He told the Scottish Parliament he hears too often about how common vaping is among young people.
“In the next year we will take action to reduce vaping – particularly among children,” he said. “I’m pleased to announce that this government will consult on curbing the sale of disposable single-use vapes, including consulting on an outright ban.”
A recent Scottish government report found that 22% of all under-18s – around 78,000 – are believed to have used a vape last year with more young people using them than smoking cigarettes.
It found that most e-cigarette users under 18 prefer single use vapes.
The review by Zero Waste Scotland estimated that up to 2.7 million single-use vapes were littered in Scotland last year. The study estimated that there were 543,000 users of e-cigarettes in Scotland and predicted that without intervention that will rise to 900,000 by 2027.
SCotland joins several countries such as France that are considering a ban on disposables.
September 6, 2023
Scotland Officially Places Disposables Under Review

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The Scottish government has officially commissioned an “urgent review of the environmental impacts and management of single-use vapes.”
The review, which comes in response to emerging concerns around the negative consequences of disposable vaping devices, will inform potential policy responses, which could include a ban of the products.
The disposable smoking devices have been linked to issues including litter, plastic waste and fire risk, according to Scotland’s government.
Zero Waste Scotland will lead the review, which will consider international experience and action, including any key developments in the European Union.
Other approaches could include increasing access to responsible disposal options, improved product design, or public communications campaigns.
“Any form of littering is an unacceptable, anti-social behavior, that is damaging to the environment and the economy,” Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said. “Single-use items, like disposable vapes, are becoming an all-too-common eyesore in areas where we live, work, and socialize, and can last in our environment for years and years. Tackling our throwaway culture is a priority here at Zero Waste Scotland and we are happy to lead on this important review.”
January 20, 2023
Calls for Scotland to Ban Disposable Vape Devices

A lawmaker in Scotland is calling for a ban on disposable vapes “after Scotland’s streets became a plastic dumping ground.”
Green MSP Gillian Mackay said city parks have become clogged up by disposable plastic vaping products, which experts say are a threat to children’s health and a menace to wildlife and she will urge the Government to introduce a ban on disposable plastic vapes.
Mackay warned the single-use devices were turning up more and more on streets and in beach clean-ups – and claimed they could become “the cotton bud of their time,” according to the Daily Record.
It comes after the Scottish Government last year banned most types of single-use plastics as part of efforts to shift to a “circular economy” with fewer items wasted. But disposable e-cigarettes weren’t affected, and they’ve exploded in popularity since 2021 with a 14-fold increase in their use among vapers over more eco-friendly rechargeable products.
Mackay recently also called for a ban on flavored vaping products and all advertising for vaping products.
Research last year found 1.3 million single-use vapes are being discarded every week in the UK, enough to cover 22 football pitches – an average of two thrown away every second.
Recycling the products is also tricky as inside the plastic are valuable lithium batteries. Campaigners say the number of batteries chucked away would be enough to power 1200 electric cars.
January 19, 2023
Flavored Vaping Ban to be Proposed in Scotland
Legislatures in Scotland are proposing to ban flavored vaping products to “protect the health of children and young people”.
The Scottish Greens are set to propose plans to ban sweet-tasting vapes in 2023, with campaigners warning it is a “ticking time bomb” for young people’s health, according to media reports.
The party’s health spokesperson, Gillian Mackay, said she is also prepared to pursue legislation to ensure the health of those most likely to be impacted is preserved.
She said there is growing concern that the number of under-age people being attracted by “deliberately sweet-toothed tactics” used to market the products is spiraling.
Mackay also wants to ban the public display of e-cigarettes in retail shops. She said she wants retailers to treat them in the same way as cigarettes and hide them from view.
December 27, 2022
Scotland may Consider Display Ban for E-Cigarettes
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A lawmaker in Scotland wants to ban the public display of e-cigarettes in retail shops. Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay wants retailers to treat them in the same way as cigarettes and hide them from view.
“This is beyond the days of smoking behind the bike sheds – this is a multi-million industry leading the nation’s health down a path to disaster,” Mackay said. “It is a ticking time-bomb and, until we know more, that’s not a risk I or anyone else should be asked to accept.”
She has written to shops and vape manufacturers ahead of taking her campaign to the Scottish Parliament, according to the Daily Record.
Mackay, the Green Party’s health spokesman, said there is growing concern that the number of under-age people being attracted by “deliberately sweet-toothed tactics” to market products is spiralling.
She is calling on retailers to lead by example by writing to them urging that they hide the products from view.
December 26, 2022
Scotland Urged to Rethink Vape Ad Restrictions

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The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has called on the Scottish government to reconsider its proposal to tighten advertising restrictions on vaping.
The call follows the publication of the outcomes of the government’s consultation on the plan. According to the UKVIA, the feedback from the consultation, which involved the input of individuals, local authorities, public health organizations and the vaping community, clearly shows that there is no majority of support for the recommendations put forward by the government, instead dividing opinions and leaving more questions than answers on the future of vaping regulations.
At the time the consultation went live, the UKVIA warned that the Scottish government’s proposals could derail the country’s 2034 smoke-free ambitions and that its stance is “in denial of the facts,” creating a significant risk to the health of people of Scotland looking to quit smoking as well as more uncertainty around vaping caused by misinformation.”

The proposals that were put forward only sought to further conflate vaping with combustible tobacco products by aligning advertising and promotion rules to existing restrictions on tobacco products.
John Dunne, director general, UKVIA
The UKVIA’s position was echoed by the Scottish Grocer’s Federation, which stated that the Scottish government’s move was unjustified and failed to appreciate the potential benefits of vaping products.
Many proposals put forward by the government generated 50-50 responses, and a number resulted in more respondents disagreeing than agreeing with them. These included proposals to ban in-store promotional displays, to make free distribution and nominal pricing of vaping products an offense and to make sponsorship agreements in respect to vaping products an offense. A higher proportion of respondents indicated that the proposed policy would have a negative impact on individuals (50.5 percent who felt it would versus 36.9 percent who didn’t) and on those with socioeconomic disadvantages (48.6 percent versus 25.5 percent).
“The proposals that were put forward only sought to further conflate vaping with combustible tobacco products by aligning advertising and promotion rules to existing restrictions on tobacco products,” said John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA, in a statment.
“Only by working with others, following the evidence and listening to people’s testimonies can we succeed in the goal of tobacco harm reduction.
October 5, 2022
U.K. Study to Offer Free E-Cigs to Homeless Smokers
A new study being conducted in the U.K. will offer homeless people free e-cigarette starter packs. The trial is aimed at helping them quit smoking. An estimated 70 percent of homeless people smoke combustible cigarettes, according to research from University of East Anglia (UEA).
Credit: Mat Hayward
Homeless centers in five parts of the UK including London, Scotland and Wales will provide 480 contributors with starter kits or care group sessions, according to the BBC. The study will assess if e-cigarettes help participants quit smoking and whether it offers them value for money.
Half of the contributors will be offered the e-cigarettes, while the other 240 people will be allocated to a care group. The project is being led by London South Bank University (LSBU) and University College London. Lynne Dawkins, a professor with LSBU, said that in an earlier trial the kits “worked well” and staff at homeless centers were able to support the study.
The £1.7m project has been funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and is in collaboration with UEA, Kings College London, Queen Mary University of London, the University of York, Cardiff University, the University of Stirling and the University of Edinburgh. Caitlin Notley, a professor with UEA, said studies suggested e-cigarettes were “more helpful” than nicotine gum or patches when people tried to stop smoking.
“If we find that providing free e-cigarette starter kits helps people to quit, homeless centers could decide to adopt this approach in future, to help reduce the impact of smoking-related diseases on the homeless,” she said.
June 29, 2021