Industry leaders urge rethink over disposable vape proposals
CONVENIENCE channel chiefs are urging ScotGov to rule out a ban on disposable vapes.
First Minister Humza Yousaf announced a consultation to consider potentially barring the sale of single-use vapes in Scotland on 5 September.
Now the Scottish Grocer’s Federation (SGF) has called for a “more mature” approach, while the Fed warned a ban would fuel the black market.
The SGF has written to public health minister Jenni Minto outlining measures it believes can help cut underage vaping while ensuring adult smokers who wish to quit can easily access alternatives to cigarettes.
They include:
•Supporting restrictions on the naming and packaging of vapes to make them less appealing to children;
•Opposing restrictions on flavour, which is proven to be the key factor in switching from cigarettes to less harmful vapes;
•Asking producers to encourage alternative products over single-use vapes;
•Asking ScotGov to rule out an outright ban on disposables, so as not to fuel illicit trade;
•Working with retailers to provide recycling options for disposable vapes;
•Ensuring that Challenge 25 checks are made to stop underage sales;
•Calling on policymakers to ensure current legislation is fully enforced – to punish retailers and wholesalers responsible for illegal sales of vapes.
The SGF’s actions – and the steps it is urging politicians to take – are outlined in a new document, Healthier Choices, Healthier Communities, which is being shared with all MSPs.
The SGF says the initiative will raise awareness of vaping as the proven best-known smoking alternative, but one which should only be used by smokers, not by non-smokers.
SGF chief exec Pete Cheema said: “Scotland has been a trailblazer on smoking harm reduction. But to take the next step towards a smoke-free generation, we need a more nuanced debate about vaping.
“There is a poor relationship between some vaping product manufacturers, retailers, regulators and policy-makers, and it is creating unintended consequences.
“The Healthier Choices, Healthier Communities campaign is about balance. We want to help create public policy that encourages vaping among adults who wish to quit smoking and discourages it among non-smokers, particularly given the evidence of young people vaping.”
Meanwhile, the Fed’s president in Scotland, Hussan Lal, said: “Banning disposable vapes will simply expand an already booming illicit market. Vapes help many give up smoking and are part of life now.
“These illicit products are already on sale at car boot sales, mobile phone shops, cafes and tanning salons, as well as via the internet and by dealers delivering direct to homes.
“Rather than looking to ban single-use vapes, ministers should be looking at responsible ways of recycling them and more educational campaigns.”
A UKVIA spokesperson added: “More than 250 people die every day in the UK from smoking and cigarettes cost the NHS about £2.6billion a year. Vapes are proven to be the most effective tool in helping smokers quit and, to my knowledge, no one has ever died from vaping.
“It is critical we take action to protect the environment, but outlawing one of the most popular and convenient alternatives to combustible tobacco would increase smoking rates, especially among low-income vapers, who rely on affordable disposables as an initial step away from cigarettes.”
