The Daily Mail reports that Scotland is giving serious consideration to implementing a rolling ban on vapes as well as tobacco for children aged 14 and under – described as concerning by consumer organisation the World Vapers’ Alliance. The move replicates the UK Government’s proposals but adds ecigs into the mix.
Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, expressed serious reservations about this move: “"Cé go bhfuil an rún chun caitheamh tobac a chosc inmholta, is ábhar imní é go bhfuil Rialtas na hAlban ag smaoineamh ar an toirmeasc seo a leathnú chuig galú. Tá sé tábhachtach a mheabhrú go bhfuil sé mídhleathach cheana féin do dhéagóirí galúcháin a cheannach. Ní réitíonn sraith eile toirmisc na fadhbanna bunúsacha. Ina áit sin, ní mór dúinn díriú ar dhlíthe atá ann cheana a fhorfheidhmiú níos éifeachtaí agus aghaidh a thabhairt ar na cúiseanna a dtosaíonn déagóirí ag caitheamh tobac nó ag galú ar an gcéad dul síos."”
The Daily Mail’s report suggests that anyone born in 2009 or later – currently 14 or younger – will never be able to buy tobacco or vape products in Scotland legally. This approach, according to Landl, could lead to unintended consequences.
Landl said: “Will there be vape smuggling gangs operating bringing vapes from England into Scotland? As absurd as this sounds, we have seen in the past what prohibition leads to. Prohibition has a history of failure, and this is no different. Banning the most successful smoking cessation tool in history makes little sense and is counterproductive. We have seen similar approaches fail disastrously in Australia, leading to a booming black market.”
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