E-Cig Ban Plans Welcomed

Campaigners are welcoming steps to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to under 18s.

After a public consultation, ministers will look to regulate the sale of e-cigs and vaporisers in the same way as cigarettes.

If made law, it would become an offence for an adult to buy them for a minor, and E-cigarette retailers will be required to be sign up to a central register.

Welcoming the announcement of the Scottish Government’s response to its recent consultation on e-cigarettes and tobacco, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland Sheila Duffy said
 
“Although e-cigarettes are likely to be far safer than smoked tobacco, there are still some unknowns and risks including the risk of addiction. Regulations to protect children from companies who will be looking to target them as future consumers are welcome. 

“For existing smokers who are struggling to quit, e-cigarettes could be an alternative. Some smokers have found that these devices mimic the experience of cigarettes closely enough to allow them to move on to using these less harmful devices instead of cigarettes. I'd like to see this legislation walk the tightrope of protecting our children from commercial companies selling recreational nicotine, while at the same time facilitating adult smokers to be free from tobacco.

“Tobacco itself is a uniquely lethal and addictive substance, and there is a real danger that we forget how dangerous smoking is.

Maureen Watt said:

“E-cigarettes might have a place when it comes to helping current smokers to quit their habit. This government is not opposed to e-cigarettes, but we think it is right to protect children from nicotine addiction, and to limit the prevalence of smoking behaviours. Through this Bill we will seek to strike that balance.

“We have long thought that it is wrong for people to have to walk through clouds of smoke when visiting hospitals. Following our consultation, and to support NHS boards, we believe the time is right to make it a statutory offence to smoke near health buildings.

“The measures on duty of candour will place a duty on organisations to be open and honest when physical or psychological harm has occurred. It will help to put transparency at the heart of our health and social care systems, recognising the impact of these events on staff and placing the emphasis clearly on learning and improvement, not fear and blame.

“The criminal offence of wilful neglect/ill-treatment will only apply in the rare cases where someone has been intentionally neglected or ill-treated by a health or social care professional. It will ensure that mistreatment of anyone receiving care can be effectively dealt with by the criminal justice system.”