Retail industry group the Scottish Grocers’ Federation has told the Scottish Parliament that proposals contained in its Health (Tobacco, Nicotine Etc. And Care) (Scotland) Bill on the control of electronic cigarettes, which could ban e-cigarette advertising, are “behind the curve”.
Giving evidence last month in the Scottish Parliament, SGF head of public affairs John Lee told the Edinburgh parliament’s Health and Sport Committee that there was a growing recognition that e-cigarettes can play an important role in helping people move away from tobacco products and that a ban on advertising would simply stop the potential harm-reduction benefits from being realised.
“Given the recent evidence on harm reduction – particularly from Public Health England – the draft bill is already behind the curve when it comes to the proposal to ban all advertising of electronic cigarettes,” Lee said.
“There is already a code of conduct which governs the advertising of these products and the sweeping powers the bill seeks to grant Scottish ministers cannot be justified.”
But SGF confirmed its support for those provisions in the bill that would age-restrict sales of nicotine vapour products and make proxy purchase an offence.
