Questions in the Scottish Parliament on Vaping Products
4.
(South Scotland) (SNP):
To ask the First Minister, in light of recent deaths and
respiratory illness attributed to vaping that have been reported
in the US by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, what
the Scottish Government’s position is on the sale and use of
vaping products. (S5F-03587)
The First Minister ():
We are monitoring developments in the US and elsewhere closely,
following the loss of life that has been attributed to vaping. To
date, though, we have not seen any cases of deaths that are
attributed to vaping being reported in Europe. Our approach has
been a precautionary one, which is why in Scotland we have
already taken the strictest regulatory approach in Europe to
vapour products. The European tobacco products directive
restricts the advertising of E-cigarettes and ensures that
e-liquids cannot contain ingredients that are known to be
harmful. The directive also limits the concentration of nicotine
in e-liquids. In Scotland, we have also introduced a retail
register and a mandatory age verification scheme and we have
funded trading standards departments in all council areas to
ensure that retailers comply with the regulations. In the coming
months, we will consult on introducing a complete ban on the
advertising and promotion of vapour products.
:
As this Parliament has just highlighted idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis—or IPF—week, does the First Minister agree that any
action to move forward with regard to vaping and e-cigarette
products needs to be carried out by listening to experts,
following robust evidence-based research and always focusing on
what is in the best interests of the public health of the people
of Scotland?
The First Minister:
Yes, I absolutely agree with that. It is important to stress, and
for all of us to remember, that those devices are relatively new
and, therefore, their impact continues to be studied. We do not
yet fully understand what that impact is, which is why the
approach that we have taken has been very cautious. That is
perhaps a reason why e-cigarette use remains relatively low in
Scotland. We remain committed to following the best evidence to
take any steps necessary to ensure that people are protected from
potential harm. While we already have among the strictest regimes
on those products, if the evidence shows that further action is
needed, I assure the member that we will not hesitate to take it.
