West Lothian backs call for ban on disposable vapes

Aug 23, 2023

Councillors say the health risks are unknown and the vapes are often just discarded

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West Lothian has backed calls for a national ban on disposable vapes.

Five councils in Scotland, including neighbouring Falkirk, have already called on the Scottish government to implement a ban.

West Lothian's plea outlined unknown health risks to vape users and the huge amount of dangerous waste the vapes are generating.

Councillors agreed to a composite motion put forward by Independent Stuart Borrowman, Lib Dem Sally Pattle and the SNP group leader Janet Campbell.

The motion said: "At least 1.3 million so called ‘disposable’ vapes are littered and binned each week."

It added: "Council recognises the findings of ASH Scotland that these products are harmful to health, in particular of children and young people.

"Disposable vapes contain highly addictive nicotine, and a single disposable vape can last for ‘600 puffs’ the equivalent of smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes, while many vapes contain chemicals that have not been safely tested for inhalation so that long term health impacts are unknown. Recent estimates put the number of young people, under the age of 18, taking up smoking vapes as up to 40 per cent."

Councillors agreed to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Government supporting a ban and also to add their support to the campaigns against disposable vapes by NHS Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Zero Waste Scotland.

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