Health campaigners welcome SNP pledge to ban vape adverts and displays

Health campaigners have welcomed a pledge from the SNP to ban adverts for vapes if the party wins next month’s Holyrood election.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said stopping the ads, as well as banning the display of vaping products in shops, was “absolutely right”.

The policy will be included in the SNP’s Holyrood manifesto, which is due to be unveiled on Thursday.

Speaking ahead of that, Mr Gray made clear that such products should be “treated in the same way as tobacco”.

The Health Secretary said: “Too often vapes are finding their way into the hands of children and their colourful displays are a clear enticement – that’s why it’s absolutely right we introduce a Vape Display Ban.

“Vapes and pouches are nicotine products and their advertisement should be treated in the same way as tobacco.

“We know one in five young people have tried vaping, and our teachers see how they can distract pupils in our classrooms.

“Where we can take action to protect the health of our young people we should, and I am proud that an SNP government will deliver action here.”

Sheila Duffy, the chief executive of health charity Ash Scotland, said that they would “warmly welcome the next Scottish Government moving swiftly to introduce restrictions ensuring that all vapes, which are addictive and health harming products, are hidden from view in shops, so that they can no longer be displayed at points-of-sale surrounded by confectionery”.

She added: “Most vapes contain high levels of nicotine, which is extremely addictive, as well as toxic chemicals that have not been safety tested for inhalation and can damage lung health.

“The next government must prioritise taking urgent regulatory actions to protect children from harms caused by vaping, following mounting evidence of adverse health impacts, and studies consistently showing that young people who use vapes are up to three times at greater risk of starting to smoke tobacco.”

Ash Scotland also wants further measures to be introduced, including a ban on sweet and fruit flavours of both vapes and tobacco pouches.

Ms Duffy added the the designs of devices, and their packaging should also be standardised, preventing those making form them using colourful imagery and branding to try to appeal to youngsters.