Clacks Council backs move to ban disposable vapes

In a meeting of the council on Thursday, August 10, councillors discussed the motion to support a national ban on the product which has seen a massive increase in use across the UK in recent years.

Concerns were raised over the colourful design of the products and how prominently advertised they are within shops, both of which could be seen as appealing to children and young people.

Councillors noted a report from Keep Scotland Beautiful published in December 2022 which identified significant public concerns around vapes being littered, leading to plastic pollution and fears that toxic chemicals could leak from the discarded products.

Ellen Forson, council leader, said: “Clearly, vaping involves highly-addicted nicotine which is harmful to health, and I am particularly concerns about its effect on our children and young people.

“But, because these vapes are also being littered, they are also having an adverse impact on our communities and the environment.

“I was pleased to bring forward this motion and was delighted to see it gain support from council.”

Littering fears arise from one of Clackmannanshire Council’s partner organisations ASH Scotland, whose findings show that between January 2021 and April 2022, there was an 18-fold increase in the use of disposable vapes.

Their findings went on to reveal that around 1.3 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week.

While current evidence suggests disposable vapes are less harmful than regular cigarettes, they are not harm-free and long-term effects are not yet known.

Flavourings in liquids have been cleared as safe, but are only known to be safe when eaten, as opposed to inhaled.

Opinion is understood to be divided among both scientists and health professionals.

BAN VAPES: Clackmannanshire Council has agreed to back a motion to ban disposable vapes.

Following the motion on Thursday, Clackmannanshire Council has agreed to write to the Scottish Government supporting the introduction of a nationwide ban on the sale of disposable vapes.

The council will also be promoting the work of Trading Standards in preventing the sale of such products to under 18s.

Campaigns by partner organisations ASH Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful and NHS Forth Valley will be further supported.

Barry Fisher, chief executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We are currently experiencing a litter emergency that is impacting communities across Scotland.

“Unfortunately, the prevalence of single-use vapes is concerning and is an unnecessary contributor to the litter emergency.

“Clackmannanshire Council joining the other 28 local authorities supporting the call for a band on disposable vapes is a welcome step in the right direction but there is still more work required.

“Alongside our partners Marine Conservation Society, ASH Scotland and Laura Young, we are urging the Scottish and UK governments to take action, up to and including a ban on single-use vapes.”