We have EXCELLENT news today - the Scottish Parliament is to use what powers it has to ban disposable single-use vapes.
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland is due to come into effect on 1 April 2025, under proposed legislation published today by the Scottish Parliament. 23/02/24
The draft legislation, which is open for public consultation until 8 March, is being taken forward in Scotland using powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. I will be adding my views to that petition and I hope others supporting this petition will do the same.
This is very good news for Scotland, and I know that Wales and the Isle of Man too, are making similar moves.
Because it is out for more consultation, there is always a danger that these plans will be watered down in the process. So l still intend to keep this petition going until we are sure that England uses it's even greater powers, to act to protect our children from nicotine addiction, from these disposable vapes.
This petition has been running since June 2023 and has had 103,253 people visiting it. 4,745 have felt strongly enough about this major health issue for our children that they have signed this petition.
Interestingly, around 90% of people who have signed this petition are from England, with the others from Scotland, Wales, Europe and across the world. This highlights another reason for keeping the petition running, until at least the whole of the UK is on board.
One problem not highlighted enough is that several hundred thousand under 18's are already addicted to nicotine from disposable vapes. They will need special efforts to be made to support them to quit vaping, once the ban becomes law.
I am using my 40 years of experience, as a Youth Worker delivering drugs education to young people in Scotland, to write a book for children and parents, on both the dangers of vaping and offering advice on how best to quit vaping. I would be delighted if people would send me any questions they would like answered in that book.
One publisher is already interested, if any of you are book publishers please get in touch. Use my new email address maxvapestuff@gmail.com