- Health warning as new Tobacco and Vaping Framework publishes.
A new marketing campaign informing parents, carers and school
pupils of the dangers of vaping has been launched by the Scottish
Government.
It comes as a new Tobacco and Vaping Framework is published,
setting out actions which will be taken to create a tobacco-free
generation by 2034.
The Framework for reaching the 2034 goal includes action to raise
the age limit for sales of tobacco and plans to improve services
to help people quit. In addition, the Scottish Government will
continue to review what further action is needed to limit the
appeal of vapes to children, young people and non-smokers during
the first phase of the framework which will run until November
2025
The ‘Take Hold’ marketing campaign will increase awareness of the
harms and risks of nicotine addiction associated with vaping,
with schools across Scotland provided with digital guidance packs
and resources for posters along with radio and outdoor
advertising. Its key message is that vapes may quickly become
harmfully addictive for children and young people, affecting
their concentration, mental health and mood.
Public Health Minister said:
“Smoking damages lives for people across Scotland, and is
responsible for one in five deaths – more than 8,000 lives a
year. It causes preventable ill health and loss of life of loved
ones, is a significant burden on our NHS and social care
services, and is the leading preventable cause of health
inequalities and costs the economy millions each year in lost
productivity.
“Although we have seen smoking rates decline, and Scotland has
already introduced a range of world-leading tobacco control
measures, we want to do more to help us achieve our goal of being
tobacco-free by 2034. This framework will provide direction for a
decade and allow us to be more responsive in dealing with a
variety of nicotine and tobacco products.
“E-cigarettes are one of a range of tools for adult smokers to
quit smoking, but should never be used by young people or adult
non-smokers. We must take action to prevent young people using
vapes and becoming addicted which will damage their health, and
that’s why we’re launching a marketing campaign. It is much
easier to never start than it is to give up.”
Background
The Scottish Government will continue to work constructively with
stakeholders and retailers and is still considering next steps on
its consultation on tightening the advertising and promotion of
vapes. Any measures taken forward will be in addition to those
proposed under the UK-wide consultation on creating a smoke-free
generation, which the Scottish Government is part of, and
includes raising the age limit.
In addition, the UK-wide consultation contains proposals on the
prohibition of disposable vape sales and other measures, which
aligns with the Programme for Government commitment to tackle the
environmental impact of single-use vapes.
The new action plan was developed through engagement with a
working group of public health experts, including ASH Scotland,
Public Health Scotland, Cessation coordinators, academics and The
Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland.
Engagement also included views from the Poverty Alliance Scotland
and from the 11th Citizen Panel for Health.
Tobacco and Vaping
Framework: Roadmap to 2034 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Vaping addiction soon takes hold
- NHS inform
