Scotland Considers Banning Disposable E-Cigarettes over Health and Environmental Concerns

Recently, according to information from the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish First Minister, Humza Yousaf, stated in response to a question from Green Party Member of Parliament, Gillian Mackay, that the possibility of completely banning disposable electronic cigarettes on the grounds of protecting health and the environment will be considered.

Yousuf Al Serkal stated that any form of "trash" is unacceptable, expressing concern over the negative impact of disposable e-cigarettes, particularly among children and young people.

He reiterated that children and young people shouldn't have access to these products. The Scottish government will consider a range of possible options, including a ban. Although specific actions will depend on the results of review, he stated:

We attach great importance to issues related to the use of such products, and at present, nothing is impossible.

Juul expressed a strong desire to engage in constructive cooperation with retailers in this regard. The company has taken note of the many concerns raised by local governments regarding the environmental and health impact of disposable e-cigarettes.

Local councils in Scotland have repeatedly called for a ban on disposable e-cigarettes. In February 2023, Dundee City Council in Scotland supported the prohibition of disposable e-cigarettes and called for a nationwide ban by the Scottish government.

I am aware that they are also taking this issue very seriously, with about 15 councils in Scotland now calling for a ban on disposable products.

He stated that the Scottish government's tobacco action plan is still being researched and will be announced this autumn.

Yusufu expressed willingness to consider the possibility of piloting the implementation, but emphasized the importance of being able to conduct a review before the work can begin. However, he acknowledged that the issue of e-cigarettes is gaining more attention due to their negative impact on the environment and health.

According to sources, the First Minister is the head of the Scottish government and is responsible for local governance affairs including education, national healthcare services, justice, rural areas, and transportation within Scotland.

Reference:

Minutes of the Meeting