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Single-use vapes to be banned

29 January 2024

After consistently calling for action to tackle single-use vapes we welcome the news today that the Scottish Government has backed the recommendations of a four-nations consultation on vaping and smoking in young people and will implement a ban on single-use vapes. 

The recommendations come following the consultation on ‘Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping’ which ran across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland last year.

Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive, said: “Single-use vapes are the fastest growing littered item with our data showing 44% of people reporting seeing single-use vapes very or somewhat often in their local area and 50% saying that seeing these has become more common in the past 12 months.

“Over the past two years we have joined many organisations to call loudly for UK Government to take action, as well as joining forces with ASH Scotland, Marine Conservation Society and environmental and ethical influencer Laura Young to encourage Scottish local authorities and Scottish Ministers to back a ban.

“We look forward to the ban coming into force using Scotland’s devolved environmental powers. It is vital that the required legislation is put in place as soon as is possible to stop this unnecessary item contributing to Scotland’s litter emergency.  In the meantime, we urge everyone who uses them to dispose of them appropriately as electronic waste – not to bin them or litter them.”

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater MSP said: “From litter on our streets, to the risk of fires in waste facilities, single-use vapes are an increasing issue - for our environment, local communities and young people.

“We were the first government to commit to taking action on single use vapes and having now fulfilled our 2023 Programme for Government commitment to consult on measures to tackle the environmental impact of single-use vapes, I welcome the findings from this UK-wide consultation. It shows a clear majority preference for a ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland.

“I will now work to introduce legislation to ban them, working alongside Public Health Minister Jenni Minto, to carefully consider any potential public health impacts. Ms Minto will also be working on a separate package of measures to create a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034 and tackle youth vaping.”

You can find out more about our campaign to ban single use vapes alongside ASH Scotland, Marine Conservation Society and Laura Young here.

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