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Council / Single-use vape ban motion to go in front of Shetland councillors

A MOTION is to be put forward at next week’s full Shetland Islands Council meeting calling on the Scottish Government to ban single-use vapes.

The motion, from Shetland Central member Davie Sandison, calls for the ban on the basis of “both environmental and health related concerns, particularly for children, including their highly addictive nature”.

It highlights that there is evidence vaping is taking place in Shetland’s school grounds, despite the fact that these products should only be sold to people aged 18 and over.

The motion has been supported by environment and transport committee chair Moraig Lyall.

A number of other Scottish councils has agreed to call for a ban on disposable, single-use vapes.

A vape, or e-cigarette, is a device that allows people to inhale nicotine in a vapour rather than smoke.

A youth worker had recently written to all councillors asking them if they would consider calling for a ban after collecting littered single-use vapes from the streets of Scalloway during the month of February.

Youth worker keen to see councillors back campaign to ban single-use vapes

The motion, due to be presented a meeting of Shetland Islands Council next Friday (12 May), also is keen to see enforcement of regulations around vapes, as well as greater education on the consequences of using them.

It reads: “That the council calls upon the Scottish Government to implement a ban on the sale of single use vapes, on the basis of both environmental and health related concerns, particularly for children, including their highly addictive nature.

“That the council recognise that the rapid rise in the sale of single use vapes has resulted in significant littering with a combination of single use plastics and small lithium batteries, which are difficult to recycle, and call for disposal points to be provided in any retail outlet selling these products.

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“The council recognise the amount of use by children under the age of 18, which is illegal under current law, deplore the clear marketing of these products at younger consumers.

“There is evidence this use is also happening within school grounds.

“That with immediate effect the council instructs its trading standards and waste services staff to ensure enforcement of existing regulations on the control of the sale, retailing and safe disposal of these products for all businesses in Shetland.

“That the council urgently implements a programme of educational resources to be rolled out in schools (including upper primary) and through youth and community groups, before the end of the current school term and over the summer break, highlighting the consequences of vaping.

“That the council recognises the work of the Scalloway Youth & Community Centre Eco Club in raising awareness of these issues.”

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