THE Scottish Authorities has introduced it’ll contemplate a proposal to ban the sale of single use vapes as a part of plans to guard public well being and the surroundings.
The Programme for Authorities outlined a dedication to take motion to scale back vaping amongst non-smokers and younger individuals – analysis means that 18% of adolescents have tried vapes – and to deal with the environmental affect of single-use vapes.
Zero Waste Scotland estimates that as much as 26 million disposable vapes have been consumed and thrown away in Scotland within the final 12 months, with 10% being littered and greater than half disposed of incorrectly.
This causes a big and rising value to native authorities via litter clear up and waste administration, alongside an elevated danger of fires at waste centres and on assortment autos the place vapes are incorrectly disposed of.
Following a request of Scottish Ministers, the Round Financial system Minister and Public Well being Minister will meet with counterparts within the UK and Welsh Authorities and Northern Eire Government to debate the findings of current analysis and potential coverage responses.
As well as, motion to assist make sure that kids, younger individuals and non-smokers don’t use these gadgets will even be set out on this 12 months’s refreshed Tobacco Motion Plan, which can set out our highway map to 2034.
After publishing his first Programme for Authorities, First Minister Humza Yousaf stated: “We all know that the brilliant colors and candy flavours catch the attention of kids and younger individuals particularly.
“The World Well being Organisation has stated there may be proof to counsel that younger individuals who have by no means smoked however use e-cigarettes, double their probability of beginning to smoke tobacco cigarettes in later life.
“Any motion we search to take will construct on the laws already in place to limit the advertising, promotion and sale of vaping merchandise to underneath 18s and the findings will likely be used to tell the refreshed Tobacco Motion Plan.
“On the surroundings, the proof is plain – from litter on our streets, to the danger of fires in waste amenities, there are points which demand motion.
“Whereas we will likely be asking for views on a ban, we’re additionally eager to discover different interventions that might have a extra quick affect.”
The session on the proposed ban will likely be held within the subsequent 12 months, whereas the refreshed Tobacco Motion Plan will likely be revealed within the autumn.
