Call for vaping to be treated like smoking and banned indoors
Officials have called for vaping to be now banned indoors, so that it faces the same restrictions that smoking did in Scotland two decades ago.
Lord McConnell, the former first minister who introduced the law in Scotland, is now urging the Scottish Government to build on the legacy of the smoking ban and restrict the use of vapes.
The Labour politician urged Maree Todd, the new public health minister, to consider a ban on vapes indoors while 'strengthening protections for children' and punishing those who are 'exploiting' young people.
In an article written for Enlighten, he called for political parties at Holyrood to work together and reduce the number of Scots vaping.
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Health concerns over vaping
Figures from the Office for National Statistics last year showed that the number of people in the UK vaping has overtaken the number of people smoking for the first time, with around one in 10 adults using e-cigarettes every day or occasionally.
Health concerns are also growing following a reported surge in the number of children using the nicotine products.
The smoking ban explained
Lord McConnell urged the Government to take further action as he pointed to the results of the smoking ban.
The smoking ban was introduced by the Labour-Lib Dem government under Lord McConnell in 2005 and took effect in 2006.
The law, which was the first of its kind in the UK, banned smoking in enclosed public spaces such as pubs, restaurants and offices.
'A new addiction for this generation'
Lord McConnell urged: "Companies that profit most from increased sales of vapes use exploitative marketing to create a new addiction for this generation, just as their predecessors did with smoking.
"Passing a controversial law such as the smoking ban, against well-funded tough opposition, required a great deal of working across party and sector lines.
"That same consensus-building is required again now, and there are positive signs. Nearly all party manifestos recognised some of the dangers associated with vaping: the worrying increase in use amongst young people, and the need for restrictions on displays and promotions.
"The new Scottish Government, and its public health minister, Maree Todd, should lead discussions examining the potential of a ban on the use of vapes indoors and strengthening protections for children while punishing those who are exploiting young users."
He added: "If our politicians and society can work together, we can prevent the harm done by decades of inaction on smoking being repeated again."
The public health minister agreed: "I recognise the dangers associated with vaping and agree with Lord McConnell on the need to work together as a country to address these.
"We are considering consulting on creating vape-free spaces using the Tobacco and Vapes Act powers and will take a balanced and evidence‑led approach.
"This will ensure action is proportionate and supports good public health."
A doctor's take
Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, has since commented on Lord McConnell's calls, exclusively telling Tyla: "The idea of banning vaping indoors is understandable and probably sensible from a public health point of view, although it is important the debate remains balanced because vaping has helped some adult smokers move away from cigarettes altogether. "There is growing concern, however, about how normalised vaping has become, particularly among younger people who may never otherwise have smoked, and indoor restrictions could help reinforce the message that vaping is not completely harmless."
She added that while the long-term evidence is still emerging, we already know vaping can irritate the lungs and airways, worsen asthma symptoms and expose users to addictive nicotine, which can affect mood, anxiety, sleep and concentration, especially in teenagers and young adults.
There are also concerns about the potential cardiovascular effects on blood vessels and blood pressure, the doctor noted.
"Banning vaping indoors may bring measurable benefits in terms of air quality and reducing passive exposure to vapour in enclosed spaces, but perhaps the biggest impact is cultural, in that it may help prevent vaping from becoming seen as a normal part of everyday life," Dr Wylie concluded.
"At the same time, any restrictions need to avoid discouraging smokers from using vaping as a stepping stone away from tobacco, which remains significantly more harmful overall."
Rhiannon Ingle