Market and legal data for the vapour sector in Scotland

6th September 2023: UK - Scotland: Yesterday (5th September), the first minister, Humza Yousaf, said the government will consult on measures to curb the sale of disposable vapes, which include a possible ban. Public Health Scotland (PHS) has welcomed this announcement and said it is working with the government, academics and the third sector (nonprofit organisations) to better understand and address the issue.
30th June 2023: UK: Ash Scotland – Action on Smoking and Health (Scotland) – has called on the Scottish government to consider adopting Australia’s e-cigarette by prescription approach to tackle the adolescent vaping epidemic.
19th May 2023: UK - Scotland: Health minister Jenni Minto said it’s a priority to consider a range of steps to tackle vaping, including use of regulation. “Any action that we take will build on the regulations that are already in place to restrict the marketing, promotion and sale of vaping products to under-18s,” said Minto.
15th May 2023: UK - Scotland: Humza Yousaf, the first minister of Scotland, has said that the environmental impact of disposable vapes will be addressed in the upcoming tobacco action plan, which will be published in the autumn. MSP Gillian Mackay asked Yousaf to join her in her call to retailers to keep e-cigarettes away from public view (as is the case with cigarettes) raise awareness of the purchasing age, and highlight disposable return points. The first minister agreed, adding that he is keen to work constructively with retailers.
12th May 2023: UK - Scotland: The percentage of adults who currently vape – somewhere between 5% and 13.2% – is increasing, according to the latest official analysis. Around 40% of vapers also smoke tobacco.
15th March 2023: UK - Scotland: Glasgow City Council yesterday responded to the ongoing Scottish government review of the environmental impact of disposable e-cigarettes by calling for a ban on all disposables. The council said Glasgow’s Trading Standards regularly visit shops and warehouses to check businesses are complying with regulations and advise retailers on their responsibilities and that 13,000 non-compliant single-use vapes were seized in three months. In 2022, 63 such inspections were made, with seizures of non-compliant goods made from 51 stores. A cross-party bill to ban the sale of disposables was submitted to the UK Parliament last month.
30th January 2023: UK - Scotland: In reaction to the Scottish government's consultation on the environmental impact of single-use vapes, the charity Asthma + Lung UK has, together with the Daily Record, published a poll showing that more than seven in ten Scots are worried about the ecological impact of disposable vapes. In reaction to it, Green party MP, Gillian Mackay, said: “This poll is a tribute to the fantastic campaigning work of the Daily Record and so many others, who have pushed this issue right up the public health agenda." The consultation could lead to restrictions or even a ban on disposables in this part of the UK.
23rd January 2023: UK - Scotland: The Scottish government has commissioned an urgent evidence review on the environmental impact of disposable e-cigarettes, which could lead to a ban. Other approaches to be considered may include increasing access to responsible disposal options, improved product design, or public communications campaigns. Circular economy minister Lorna Slater said: “Not only are single-use vapes bad for public health, they are also bad for the environment.” The review will influence the new tobacco action plan, which is due in the autumn.
20th January 2023: UK - Scotland: Yesterday (19th January) the health secretary, Humza Yousaf, said that the government is reviewing the evidence on e-cigarettes that will influence the tobacco action plan, which is due in autumn. He expressed his concern over under-age vapers, online advertising and the environmental impact of e-cigarettes. “Stakeholders with the relevant expertise should explore and examine a range of issues in relation to vaping, including a potential ban on disposable single-use vapes,” Yousaf said.
11th January 2023: UK - Scotland: Commenting on a call by an environmental campaigner for a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, an official spokesperson told reporters: “The Scottish government is considering the emerging issues around single-use disposable vapes, and in the meantime it must be remembered that these devices are electronic equipment and should always be disposed of responsibly.”
31st October 2022: UK - Scotland: A shop in North Lanarkshire is being investigated by Trading Standards for reportedly selling vapour products to a 12-year-old, local media reports.

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