Scotland: Addressing Smoking and Adolescent E-cigarette Use in UK
According to reports by British media, representatives gathered at a community and housing policy committee meeting in Renfrewshire, Scotland, to discuss a document contemplating how the UK government and devolved administrations should tackle smoking and teenage smoking behavior.
Labour Party education spokesperson, Member of Parliament Gillian Graham, stated, "In my view, e-cigarette packaging and flavors are intentionally designed to appeal to young people. Features such as gum-like texture, light colors, and blueberry flavors are all means of attracting youngsters."
She mentioned that e-cigarettes are prominently displayed in supermarkets and small corner shops. She emphasized that "some students use disposable e-cigarettes every day, which is equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes. This amount of nicotine in their system is highly addictive. Students will smoke e-cigarettes around the school, and our evidence is seeing heaps of disposable e-cigarette rubbish around the school.
She opposes teenagers smoking e-cigarettes during break time in class, "They are already addicted, and it is better to ban the sale as early as possible. The display of e-cigarettes should also be treated the same as traditional tobacco products. It is always preferable to prohibit it sooner rather than later."
According to a report from its service department, complaints regarding children accessing and using disposable e-cigarettes are continuously rising.
The current punishment measures have failed to effectively deter the sales of such products," said the department in response to the inquiry.
Emma Rodden, Education Secretary of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and representative for Johnston and the surrounding villages, expressed her views on e-cigarettes, stating, "As a former smoker who has been smoke-free for eight months and is immensely proud of it, I fully understand the value of e-cigarettes. I am currently using an e-cigarette myself and I recognize that it has been developed as a smoking cessation tool since its inception.
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