Scotland has announced a two-month delay to the implementation of its ban on disposable vaping devices, bringing it in line with the rest of the UK and bringing it forward to June next year, the BBC reported on 25 October.
The UK Parliament plans to enforce a nationwide ban on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes from 1 June, while the Scottish Parliament's original start date of 1 April will be adjusted. Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said the new timetable would ensure a coordinated approach across the country.
The Scottish Government has become the first in the UK to commit to action on disposable e-cigarettes. "We are working closely across the four nations to ensure a consistent approach to banning the sale and supply of disposable e-cigarettes, providing clarity for businesses and consumers alike," officials said.
A Scottish Government report last year revealed that 22% of minors (around 78,000 people) had used e-cigarettes, with the number of young people vaping outstripping those smoking. However, the new UK regulations do not provide for a transition period, requiring retailers to clear their stock of disposable vapes by the deadline.
The move has caused concern in the industry, with warnings that it could lead to an increase in illegal sales.
Mary Creagh, the UK's Minister for the Circular Economy, noted that disposable vapes create significant waste that "pollutes our cities". She insisted: "This is a first step towards a circular economy where resources last longer, waste is reduced, net zero emissions are accelerated and thousands of jobs are created across the country."
The measure is separate from the government's plan to phase out smoking by banning the sale of cigarettes to people born after 1 January 2009. The bill is expected to be introduced into Parliament before Christmas.
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