Technical Notes 2023, Issue 102 - Banning Disposable Vapes – Response from Scottish Government
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At its meeting of 27 April 2023 East Dunbartonshire Council agreed the following motion:
“Council notes that between January 2021 and April 2022 there was an 18-fold increase in the use of disposable vapes in the UK, and that on average 1.3 million disposable vapes are thrown away each week.
Council recognises the findings of ASH Scotland that these products are harmful to health, in particular of children and young people. Disposable vapes contain highly addictive nicotine, and a single disposable vape can last for “600 puffs”, the equivalent of smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes, while many vapes contain chemicals that have not been safely tested for inhalation so that long term health impacts are unknown.
Council further notes a December 2022 report by Keep Scotland Beautiful, which identified significant public concerns around littering, with plastic pollution and potential leakage of toxic chemicals from discarded vapes adversely impacting our communities and the local environment.
In light of these findings, Council agrees:
- to instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Government expressing our support for the introduction of a nationwide ban on the sale of disposable vapes;
- that this position informs our response to the ongoing Evidence Review on the Impact of Single Use Vapes conducted by Zero Waste Scotland;
- to support communication campaigns promoted by relevant partners and stakeholders, such as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, ASH Scotland, and Keep Scotland Beautiful, that highlight the public health and environmental impacts of disposable vapes;
- to promote the work of Trading Standards in preventing the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes to those aged under 18.”
A copy of the response from the Scottish Government is attached for Members’ information.