UK city could ban single-use vapes to protect children and the environment

Glasgow could become the first city in the UK to introduce a ban on single-use vapes.

The city council has backed the move amid health and environmental concerns.

Particular worry has been expressed about the increase in disposable vapes being discarded as litter.

Health concerns include the colour of vapes which encourages use among children.

The Scottish government has set up an expert group to consider a ban on vapes for the city.

Trading standards officers have seized more than 13,000 illicit vapes in three months during spot checks on businesses in the city.

Green Party councillor Jon Molyneux introduced the motion which was approved by the committee.

He said: ‘Single-use vapes are unnecessary and the all-too-obvious evidence on our streets is that they are giving rise to another harmful throwaway culture.

‘I’m delighted that environment committee members in Glasgow agreed unanimously to support the Scottish Greens in calling for a ban.

‘We obviously hope the Scottish government’s urgent review results in a ban – but that shouldn’t also stop councils acting now.

‘We heard that trading standards officers in Glasgow have seized around 13,000 illegal or non-compliant vapes in the last few months.

‘Action should also be taken to restrict certain types of business, like sweet shops, from being able to sell these products.’

Scotland’s health secretary Humza Yousaf said an action plan on vapes would be published this autumn.

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