This visit took place in the week marking the 5th anniversary of the founding of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
On 24 January, Lord Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland, and His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils visited Camp Badre in Maguindanao del Norte to meet Moro Islamic Liberation Front communities and launch a new UK-funded project supporting decommissioned combatants to develop new livelihoods opportunities, for example around agriculture or eco-tourism.
Through engagements with decommissioned combatants, Lord McConnell gained insights into the needs of the community and discussed UK support to the peace process. His visit comes at a crucial time for the Bangsamoro peace process, as the region prepares for its first Parliamentary elections in 2025.
Lord McConnell was in the Philippines from 22 – 26 January 2024. In Cotabato, Lord McConnell met with MILF leadership, Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), representatives of the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities, political parties and civil society.
In Manila, he had constructive discussions with Senator Raffy Tulfo, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo and Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and civil society.
Speaking after his visit, Lord McConnell said: “I was delighted to join the 5th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao this week in Cotabato.
“I was pleased to witness first-hand the progress made on delivering the peace process as we approach the important BARMM elections in 2025. The visit to Camp Badre was an opportunity to listen to the decommissioned combatants and learn more about their experiences.
“As we approach the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement, I congratulate all involved and I look forward to continuing to support them in delivering development, peace and inclusivity for all.”
The visit marked the launch of the UK government-funded VSO ACTIVE Project, part of the UK government’s continuing programme of support to the BARMM.
A spokesperson for VSO said: “The ACTIVE project in the Philippines has supported marginalised communities in MILF camps to generate livelihood opportunities, increase biodiversity, protect against the harmful impacts of climate change and hold local decision makers to account, with 380 community volunteers supporting over 20,000 people to date.
“The project contributes to the normalisation track and the Camp Transformation Plan and has helped decommissioned combatants and their families to establish agroecology initiatives and supported the construction of an eco-tourism area which is now protected by an ordinance.
“VSO and our partner, UnYPhil-Women, are delighted to have the opportunity to expand this work in Camp Badre, and we are very grateful to the FCDO for their ongoing support for the ACTIVE project.”
Welcoming the launch of the project at Camp Badre, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said: “The UK government is delighted to support the normalisation track of the peace process, and in particular the VSO ACTIVE project in MILF camps.
“Peace is not just the absence of war – it’s also about opportunities, development and hope. The UK reiterates its unwavering support for the Peace Process and delivering lasting and inclusive peace for all.”
Since 2020, the UK government has been supporting the peace process in the BARMM through a £12 million Conflict, Stability and Security Fund programme, sharing experience in devolution, institution-building, and peace transition.
An Open Letter from Pamela Tulloch, chief executive officer of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)
It’s no secret that Scotland’s libraries, along with the rest of our world-class culture sector, are currently embroiled in a perfect storm: budget pressures, reduced income generation, and rising costs have created a potent force for our services to contend with.
That’s why we’ve written to councillors across the City of Edinburgh, ahead of final decisions being taken on 2024/25 public spending, to not only remind them of the vast benefits a thriving public library service can provide, but to highlight those who stand to lose the most if our services are cut even further – communities across Edinburgh.
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is the advocacy body for Scotland’s network of over 500 public libraries – celebrating the creativity, commitment, and value that libraries offer the communities they serve. A lifeline of support for so many.
Our latest research, Scotland’s Public Library Survey, helps to demonstrate the immense value, trust, and appreciation that people across Edinburgh place in their library service. With over 93 per cent of respondents agreeing that using the library improves their quality of life, the pivotal role they play is clear.
This is best evidenced by:
Closing the attainment gap by supporting children’s development, education and improving literacy through adulthood;
Combatting social isolation and helping those struggling with mental health;
Bridging the digital divide through free e-learning opportunities;
Connecting rural and remote communities through mobile library provision; and
Providing free IT equipment, employability sessions and activities to alleviate the impact of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
This is supported by the poignant feedback shared by library users across Edinburgh. When asked about the positive impact library use had had on their life, one local commented:
“The library is a busy meeting place for groups, acting as a hub for all sorts of activities, including groups of parents and children who meet here to play. Staff at the library are very helpful in recommending books that suit my tastes.
“The library is a very social place with a lovely atmosphere and is welcoming place to go. It always cheers me up.”
This sentiment is common and is underpinned by a strong economic case: for every £1 invested into our libraries, there’s a return on investment of £6.95 for the local economy.
And it is to the credit of our public libraries that this is the case, despite budgets having been hollowed out over the past 14 years which has resulted in reduced opening hours and staffing levels.
Indeed, Scotland’s libraries remained the most frequently visited cultural places in 2022, and also enjoy the highest customer satisfaction rate of any local authority cultural service, at 89 per cent.
Now is the time for the City of Edinburgh Council’s elected members to give libraries the financial backing that they need – that they deserve – to continue delivering the public services which have become vital to communities across the country.
This is more than a bid for culture funding – it’s a plea to prioritise community wellbeing. We hope that all elected members will consider both the financial and social cost of not maintaining these essential services and use the upcoming budget period to protect the services that matter most to their constituents by ensuring continued investment in our libraries.
Pamela Tulloch,
Chief executive officer of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)
The Women’s Enterprise Scotland chair brings a wealth of experience to the role
Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) has announced serial entrepreneur, experienced tech sector leader, and chair of Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) Lynne Cadenhead as its newest Entrepreneur in Residence.
The move, which is part of an effort to foster innovation and entrepreneurial excellence, will see Lynne provide support and expert advice at the University.
An alumna of ENU with a background in life sciences, Professor Lynne Cadenhead brings a remarkable track record to the role. She started and grew three successful businesses, and has more than 25 years of entrepreneurial, equity investment, and policy experience.
Lynne has also drawn recognition for her work to support women into entrepreneurship, through her post as chair of WES and as Women’s Advocate and Investor Relations Director for Tricapital Angels Limited.
In her new role as Entrepreneur in Residence, Lynne Cadenhead will join The Royal Society’s Entrepreneur in Residence scheme, a part of the Science, Industry, and Translation programme. This initiative aims to enhance knowledge and awareness in UK universities of cutting-edge industrial science, research, and innovation.
As Entrepreneur in Residence, Lynne will be actively involved in fostering a more entrepreneurial environment for women across Edinburgh Napier University.
This reflects the University’s commitment to encouraging and supporting women in entrepreneurship, aligning with its dedication to driving positive change and advancing gender equality.
Lynne Cadenhead said:“I am honoured to be taking up the role of Entrepreneur in Residence at Edinburgh Napier University.
“If we want to unlock Scotland’s economic potential, we need to champion the entrepreneurial spirit across academia and contribute to a culture of innovation.
“Drawing from my own journey, I am particularly excited about supporting and inspiring women in enterprise, as they face numerous additional barriers when it comes to starting and growing a business.
“This new role will allow me to actively contribute to the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial mindset for all.”
Nick Fannin, Head of Enterprise at Bright Red Triangle, ENU’s enterprise hub, said:“We are thrilled to have Lynne Cadenhead join us as our latest Entrepreneur in Residence.
“Lynne’s incredible personal experience in building companies and her commitment to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurial women aligns perfectly with Edinburgh Napier’s mission to nurture and support the women in our university community, enabling them to have real impact in their academic careers, and to commercialise their research.
“We believe Lynne’s expertise will have a profound impact on our students, staff, and alumni as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.
“Lynne’s presence will be a tremendous asset to our community, and we are committed to bringing about positive change.”
Participants of Football Memories groups across Scotland will get the chance to hear from former referees as their whistle-stop tour, courtesy of Specsavers, kicks off.
The official sponsors of the Scottish FA match officials have facilitated for retired refs to speak to participants of Football Memories, a project which assists people living with memory loss conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as those experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
The tour will stop in at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, with ex-whistler Dougie Hope getting proceedings under way at Hampden Park on January 25.
Dougie refereed over 1,000 matches in Scotland, his last being Dundee United’s 1-0 victory over Rangers in the 1994 Scottish Cup Final, and will recount his career to the group at the national stadium.
Martin Clark will host Edinburgh participants in February, John Rowbotham will talk to the Dundee group in March, while the Aberdeen speaker is yet to be confirmed for April’s meeting.
Established in 2009, Football Memories Scotland is a charitable project run by the Scottish Football Museum in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland.
With 500 groups around the country, often hosted in football settings, Football Memories uses engaging football-themed resources stored in a memory box, such as reminiscence cards, life-size player cutouts, newspaper clippings and books, to stir memories and discussions led by volunteers.
Specsavers will sponsor the boxes for the referee tour and have helped to provide some exciting new contents for them such as old football boots, photographs of former referees and other memorabilia.
Long-term memories can be triggered for many through the visual cues of images, videos, artefacts and discussions taking place in a small group or even a one-to-one setting, unlocking precious happy moments from the past. The impact can be enormous.
Robert Craig, Chair of the Scottish Football Museum, says: ‘We are excited to get under way with the first activity in our new partnership with Specsavers.
‘Their support to the Football Memories project, which impacts the lives of all who touch it, is invaluable and helps us to continue to deliver for those living with memory loss conditions or experiencing isolation.
1994/1995 Referee Douglas Hope in action
Crawford Allan, Scottish FA Head of Referee Operations, says: ‘Football Memories is a fantastic initiative and one our roster of former referees will gladly support, as an extension of our existing partnership with Specsavers.
‘We are sure their stories and treasured memorabilia will spark many happy memories.’
Specsavers’ Arlene Stephenson, Scottish Divisional Chair, says: ‘Specsavers is proud of our long tradition in backing Scottish referees, but our latest sponsorship deal sees us going further than ever, helping to raise awareness of the vital work Football Memories does in assisting people living with memory loss conditions.
‘We can’t wait to hear what questions the referees are fielded on their tour of the country and learn about the impact for those attending the groups.’
Specsavers announced in 2021 that it renewed its’ sponsorship deal with football referees in Scotland, marking over 20 years of support – one of the longest agreements of its kind in sport.
The deal has seen the partnership continue into 2024, not only helping with the training and development of referees, but also helping to raise awareness of para football and grassroots football in Scotland.
Megan Hannay, a pupil of Edinburgh Dance Academy (EDA), won the highest honour at a British Isles competition over the weekend as she was named as the event’s best act.
The 14-year-old from Edinburgh beat off competition from over 500 other dancers from across the UK and Ireland at the prestigious Dance Inspirations finals staged in Blackpool. Her contemporary dance solo ‘Voila,’ choreographed by instructor Jenni Inglis, was judged as the competition’s best performance with Megan picking up a £1000 cash prize along with her trophy.
Meanwhile, EDA took home a number of additional titles from the event including being named as the Highest Ranked Dance Studio in the UK and Ireland for the third year running.
EDA dancer Finn McFeely (16) was awarded the title of Most Promising Senior while fellow pupil, 11-year-old Sadie McKenzie, took honours as Most Promising Junior at the three-day annual competition.
EDA dancers also secured a number of Top 10 rankings. This included commercial soloist Rhianne McAllister and contemporary soloist Amelie Gay.
The school also took Top 10 honours for its group contemporary routine ‘Open Hands’ while an EDA trio featuring Megan, Finn, and Charlotte Maurer were also highly ranked for their ‘Chalk Outlines’ performance.
The Dance Inspirations competition featured more than 300 top level dance routines. These were selected from a total of 3000 acts from over 100 dance schools across the UK and Ireland which competed in regional heats ahead of this weekend’s final.
Julie Mitchell, Principal and Founder at EDA, said: “We are all delighted with the amazing achievements of Megan, Finn, Sadie and all of our competitors who were outstanding this weekend.
“These individual and group awards along with EDA once again being named as the top dance studio in the British Isles is a real testimony to our pupils’ talents and our excellent team of instructors.”
On Saturday (27 January), memorial plaques were unveiled to commemorate and celebrate the life of firefighter Barry Martin, one year on from his death in the line of duty.
A Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Red Plaque was unveiled alongside a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Memorial Plaque at McDonald Road Fire Station on Saturday at a private ceremony attended by members of Barry’s family, fire service colleagues and their families, along with representatives from the Fire Brigades Union and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
The Red Plaque project is funded by the Firefighters 100 Lottery and creates memorials for firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty across the UK.
Shelley Martin, wife of Barry Martin, said:“Barry Martin was, and will always remain, the heart and soul of our family. There is nothing right about our profound loss, but what we must do, is do right with what we are forced to live with. That is, living a life without his physically here to have and to hold.
“Therefore, what is right, is to celebrate our extraordinary Barry, who shines through his beautiful sons Oliver and Daniel, and forever blazes with a ferocious love in our hearts. We thank everyone who helped us to make this day, about Our Barry.”
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said:“As we mark one year since he lost his life in the line of duty, Barry Martin and his loved ones will be in the thoughts of firefighters everywhere.
“The plaques unveiled in his memory will provide a place of reflection and remembrance for all who knew him, and for future generations of firefighters to pay their respects.
“The Fire Brigades Union honours Barry’s dedication and bravery. We commemorate his life and work with pride, and we will ensure he is remembered always.”
Seona Hart, Fire Brigades Union Scotland treasurer said:“The Red Plaques play an important role for the loved ones of the firefighters they remember, as well as sharing their stories with the community.
“As we unveil the FBU Red Plaque at McDonald Road Fire Station, we are not only gathered to remember Barry, but also to celebrate him as husband, father, son, comrade, brother and friend.”
New survey reveals three in four (75%) UK parents with children under five are anxious about their child’s emotional and mental wellbeing.
Contacts to the NSPCC Helpline from UK adults with concerns about children’s mental health increased by 21% last year.
Majority of UK parents (57%) think parenting is harder now that it was when they were growing up.
Supported by TV presenter and author, Anna Williamson, and actor T’Nia Miller, NSPCC launches refreshed online parenting advice and TV ad campaign to help improve access to easy-to-understand advice for families, parents, and carers.
More than 40% of parents in Scotland said they were worried about the impact of mental health on their family, a new survey commissioned by the NSPCC has revealed.
The survey reveals top parenting concerns across the UK with issues such as mental health, bullying and social media use ranking highly.
It comes as the NSPCC launches a new campaign and refreshed advice for parents to help with many of the everyday challenges they face when raising children.
Across the UK, the issue that parents of children and babies aged five and under were most likely to be concerned about was their child’s emotional wellbeing and/or mental health, with 75% saying it was a worry. More than two thirds (67%) also cited learning development as a cause for concern.
For parents of six to 11-year-olds, 56% said they were anxious about their child’s mental health and 47% of parents of children between 12 – 17 also expressed the same concern.
The charity has also revealed that contacts to its helpline from UK adults with concerns about children’s mental health increased by a fifth last year.
Between April 2023 and December 2023, the NSPCC Helpline dealt with 2,499 child welfare contacts about child mental and emotional health. This is a 21% increase compared to the same time frame in 2022.
These statistics show that children’s emotional and mental wellbeing is especially worrying for parents with children under 5. Parents with very young children are thirsty for information about infant mental health and support with early childhood development which is why it is so important that free, expert advice is available online.
Everyone has a role to play to look after each other and keep children safe. From members of the community supporting families in their area, to local services and governments across the UK offering crucial support for new parents.
The NSPCC knows that being a parent is not easy. In fact, most parents across the UK (57%) said that parenting is harder now than when they were children. Many parents say they do not always know where to go for expert support, with half (53%) relying on advice from family members and two in five (41%) relying on friends.
That is why the charity wants all parents to know that everyone has options, and the NSPCC is always there when it comes to helping keep children safe and healthy on the phone and online.
The survey also revealed that more than twice as many parents across the UK think growing up is harder for girls than boys.
The new campaign, supported by TV presenter and author Anna Williamson, focusses on the NSPCC’s refreshed parenting pages on its website which help make the expertise and guidance they offer at every stage of parenting more accessible and user-friendly.
Available here is advice about babies and toddlers, family life, friends and relationships, health and wellbeing or navigating the digital world.
NSPCC Ambassador Anna Williamson said:“We live in a world where parents feel more anxious than ever which is why I’m so proud to support this campaign that is all about giving them free, non-judgement expert advice.
“As a mum myself, I too have worried about the impact of things like bullying, mental wellbeing and social media on my children so it’s great to see charities like the NSPCC taking positive steps to help give parents the tools they need to navigate tricky topics together.”
Actor and Director, Samantha Morton said: “Parents feel so much pressure to get things ‘right’ for their children – but parenting doesn’t look the same for everyone.
“It’s concerning to see that many parents don’t know where to turn for expert advice which is why I’m keen to support the NSPCC’ new campaign to give straightforward tips and help for every stage of parenting.”
The NSPCC has also launched a national TV ad campaign, in which actor T’Nia Miller, star of Years and Years, The Haunting of Bly Manor and Sex Education, reads a poem all about the many anxieties of parenthood.
The 60 second video is called ‘Not Letting Go’ and includes a graphic series of stills and animations from award-winning artist Martina Lang.
T’Nia Miller said: “It was such an honour to be a very small part of the really important work that the NSPCC does.
“When I first read the poem I was so moved and as a parent of two I related in many ways. Parenting isn’t easy. It’s the hardest job on earth – so it’s important that we start with parents so that children can grow and flourish.”
Sir Peter Wanless, CEO at the NSPCC, said: “Parents and carers tell us that raising their families is becoming increasingly difficult. With a cost-of-living crisis, new online threats to children and increasing mental health concerns among young people, there are a rising number of challenges in childhood today.
“We know that parents can be a vital positive influence in young children’s lives. I hope that our advice will help provide easy to understand support and help parents feel less anxious as they navigate family life.
“Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you are worried about a child or your ability to help. We must all work together to ensure that our children have happy and healthy futures.”
Free NSPCC parenting advice is only a click away and is designed to help families feel empowered to support their children before problems escalate. Visit it now on the NSPCC website.
The city council’s Future Libraries engagement stage survey was launched on Friday (January 26) by Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker.
Earlier this month, the Convener visited the site of the new Macmillan Hub, which will include a new Muirhouse Library. This is a good example of modern library service delivery.
With the old Muirhouse library having been demolished in 2021, the new community hub at Macmillan Square is being developed in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts and will incorporate a creative arts space, our Early Years facility, employability support, six flats for social rent, and of course a thriving community library.
In December 2023, the city council’s Culture and Communities Committee agreed a proposal to develop a new strategy and vision for the library service over the next five years.
The new strategy will consider ways to modernise services to meet changing community need, encourage participation, and address budget pressures. Further information on the plans are available on our website.
Going forward, taking in the views of service users, colleagues, and stakeholders before developing the draft strategy is key. The launch of the engagement stage survey will identify what works well, where changes could improve the service, and how delivery supports vulnerable groups. This will run for twelve weeks until April 19, 2024.
The council will then use this learning in our follow-up Consultation stage, where people will have the opportunity to make comments on the draft strategy and any proposals for service change.
This will run from June 2024-August/September 2024.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:“It was fantastic to visit the site of the new Macmillan Hub and see firsthand the future direction of our libraries taking shape.
“I’d encourage everyone to take part and engage with our Future Libraries strategy. This is a really exciting opportunity to make your views heard on the services which matter to you and your communities.
“I’d like to thank Council colleagues for all their hard work going into the development of a new libraries strategy and I look forward to seeing its progress over the coming months.
“We’re committed to getting the basics right for the people of Edinburgh and our thriving libraries network is a key part of our priorities for the city.”
A man diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2019 after his wife urged him to get blood in his urine checked has spoken of how she helped save his life.
Glen Long, 48 from Blackridge, West Lothian, has backed the ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign to highlight the importance of getting unusual, persistent symptoms checked, admitting things could have been very different for him had wife Laura not made him an appointment with his GP practice.
The father of two is now seizing every opportunity to enjoy life, recently celebrating his silver wedding anniversary with Laura and walking the West Highland Way with friends to raise money for charity Fight Bladder Cancer.
The ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign highlights the benefits of finding cancer at an earlier stage when there’s more treatment options available, a greater likelihood of living well after treatment and better news to tell the family.
Targeting those aged 40 and over, the campaign reinforces the fact that GP practices want to know if people have unusual, persistent symptoms, which could include unexplained bleeding, unusual lumps, unexplained weight loss or something that doesn’t feel normal for them.
Glen’s GP appointment led to him being referred for a series of tests at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, with his diagnosis confirmed in June. He underwent surgery to remove the tumour in July, followed by six weekly sessions of chemotherapy injections into his bladder.
As bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate, Glen was monitored every three months, with further surgery required in 2021 to remove a tumour so small that no further chemotherapy was needed.
Glen, who works as a forklift instructor and storeman, said: “I remember noticing my pee was darker and when I turned the light on, there was blood in the toilet. I just thought it was an infection and kind of brushed it off, but my wife Laura said it wasn’t normal and I needed to get it checked straight away.
“Even when my GP referred me for an ultrasound I didn’t think anything of it. I then needed a flexible cystoscopy which involved a tiny camera going into my bladder through my urethra which wasn’t the most pleasant, but it wasn’t painful.
“When I was told that the consultant needed to speak to me, I twigged the news might not be great. The only thing I heard him saying was ‘tumour’ and ‘cancer’. After that I can’t remember a thing, it was like white noise. I genuinely thought it was an infection as I didn’t feel ill or sick and had no fatigue.
“They were able to remove the whole tumour which was such a relief. I consider myself very fortunate I had that symptom and did something about it as things could have gone on a very different path.
“I can honestly say that my treatment was virtually pain free and I was fortunate to have had no side effects from the chemotherapy.
“When I was told the tumour had returned I felt more confident as I knew they were on top of things and it had been caught early again. My last scan was clear and if the next one in a couple of months is clear, I’ll move to annual scans which will be another step forward.”
Glen added: “I can’t really explain it but I look at things so differently. It’s like a new lease of life. I feel reborn, like I’ve been given another chance. Even though I’m still regularly monitored, I don’t even really think about it now. If people ask me about it, I’ll tell them, but I’m definitely not dwelling on it.
“It’s probably my wife that saved my life. I know I wouldn’t have made that appointment as quickly. I’d have done the usual and thought that it would have been alright, but now I know the importance of early diagnosis.
“You know your body and if something doesn’t feel right for you, make an appointment with your GP practice. If it turns out to be cancer, finding it early is so important and there’s more they can do to treat it. Having that peace of mind is priceless.”
Dr Carey Lunan, GP said: “Finding and treating cancer as early as possible is a priority for the NHS in Scotland. If you have unusual, persistent symptoms that you’re worried about, we would encourage you to get in touch with your GP practice.
“Your initial appointment may be over the phone, but we’ll always ask you to come in for a face-to-face appointment if an examination or tests are needed.
“Please don’t delay contacting your GP practice, as there’s more we can do to help if cancer is found at an earlier stage.”
People can find out more about possible cancer symptoms at getcheckedearly.org.
Disposable vapes will be banned in the UK as part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping and protect children’s health
Ban on disposable vapes which have driven alarming rise in youth vaping
New powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops so they don’t appeal to children
New law will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, delivering on the Prime Minister’s pledge to create a smokefree generation
Disposable vapes will be banned in the UK as part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping and protect children’s health, the Prime Minister has announced today [Monday 29 January] on a visit to a school.
The measure comes as part of the government’s response to its consultation on smoking and vaping, which was launched in October last year.
Recent figures show the number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled. Use among younger children is also rising, with 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds now using vapes. The long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine contained within them can be highly addictive, with withdrawal sometimes causing anxiety, trouble concentrating and headaches. While vaping can play a role in helping adult smokers to quit, children should never vape.
Disposable vapes have been a key driver behind the alarming rise in youth vaping, with the proportion of 11 to 17-year-old vapers using disposables increasing almost ninefold in the last two years.
As part of today’s package, new powers will be introduced to restrict flavours which are specifically marketed at children and ensure that manufacturers produce plainer, less visually appealing packaging.
The powers will also allow government to change how vapes are displayed in shops, moving them out of sight of children and away from products that appeal to them like sweets.
To crack down on underage sales, the government will also bring in new fines for shops in England and Wales which sell vapes illegally to children. Trading standards officers will be empowered to act ‘on the spot’ to tackle underage tobacco and vape sales. This builds on a maximum £2,500 fine that local authorities can already impose.
Vaping alternatives – such as nicotine pouches – will also be outlawed for children who are increasingly turning to these highly addictive substitutes.
The government has again reiterated its commitment to bring about the first smokefree generation and introduce legislation so children turning fifteen this year or younger can never legally be sold tobacco.
Smoking is the UK’s single biggest preventable killer – causing around one in four cancer deaths and leading to 80,000 deaths per year – so stopping young people from ever starting to smoke will protect an entire generation, and future generations, from smoking harms as they grow up.
To help ensure the success of the smokefree generation plan, £30 million new funding a year will be provided to bolster enforcement agencies – including Border Force, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Trading Standards – to implement these measures and stamp out opportunities for criminals.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said: As any parent or teacher knows, one of the most worrying trends at the moment is the rise in vaping among children, and so we must act before it becomes endemic.
“The long-term impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine within them can be highly addictive, so while vaping can be a useful tool to help smokers quit, marketing vapes to children is not acceptable.
“As Prime Minister I have an obligation to do what I think is the right thing for our country in the long term. That is why I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes – which have driven the rise in youth vaping – and bring forward new powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops.
“Alongside our commitment to stop children who turn 15 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes, these changes will leave a lasting legacy by protecting our children’s health for the long term.”
There was overwhelming support among responses to the government’s consultation for a disposable vape ban, with nearly 70% of parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and the general public supportive of the measure.
The government has a duty to protect children’s health, which is why it is taking bold and decisive action on smoking and vaping. This is the responsible thing to do to protect children for generations to come.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “Smoking is still the single largest preventable cause of death in England. Almost every minute of every day someone is admitted to hospital with a smoking-related disease. And its costs society £17 billion each year – putting a huge burden on our NHS.
“That’s why we are driving the way forward through our smokefree generation plan, which will prevent our children from starting this dangerous habit.
“The health advice is clear, vapes should only ever be used as a tool to quit smoking. But we are committed to doing more to protect our children from illicit underage vaping, and by banning disposable vapes we’re preventing children from becoming hooked for life.”
Vapes should only be used by adults as a tool to quit smoking. They contribute to an extra 50,000-70,000 smoking quits a year in England.
As part of the government’s Swap to Stop scheme, almost one in five of all adult smokers in England will have access to a vape kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit the habit and improve health outcomes.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said: “Smoking damages and cuts short lives in extraordinary numbers.
“Stillbirths, cancer, asthma, dementia, stroke and heart failure – smoking causes disability and death throughout the life course. If passed, this legislation would have a major public health impact across many future generations.”
Health Minister Andrea Leadsom said: “We are in the midst of a worrying rise in young people vaping. I want to stop youth vaping in its tracks – and a ban on disposable vapes is central to that.
“Nicotine is highly addictive – and so it is completely unacceptable that children are getting their hands on these products, many of which are undeniably designed to appeal to young people.
“Along with tougher enforcement measures, we are making sure vapes are aimed at the people they were designed to help – adults who are quitting smoking.”
As well as benefitting children’s health, the ban will have a positive impact on the environment. Five million disposable vapes are thrown away each week, up from 1.3 million from last year. Over a year this is equivalent to the lithium batteries of 5,000 electric vehicles.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Not only are disposable vapes often targeted, unacceptably, at children – they also represent a huge and growing stream of hard-to-recycle waste, with nearly 5 million thrown away every week.
“This historic announcement will be a powerful tool in support of our efforts to crack down on waste and boost recycling, as well as helping to create the first smokefree generation.”
Scotland’s Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Smoking damages lives and kills more than 8,000 people a year in Scotland and is burden on our NHS and social care services. Research also suggests that almost one in five adolescents have tried vapes.
“We want to do more to achieve our goal of being tobacco-free in Scotland by 2034 and after collaborating on the UK-wide consultation, we have worked closely across the four UK nations on next steps and now intend to act on taking forward its recommendations, either on a UK-wide basis or through legislation in the Scottish Parliament.
“I have worked closely with Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater on disposable vapes. These are a threat to both public health and the environment – from litter on our streets, to the risk of fires in waste facilities – that’s why we will act on our Programme for Government commitment and move to ban them.”
Smoking is responsible for one in five deaths – more than 8,000 a year – in Scotland. It causes preventable ill health, is a significant burden on our NHS and social care services, is the leading preventable cause of health inequalities and costs the economy millions each year in lost productivity.
In Scotland, 82.3% supported restrictions on single-use vapes (79.3% UK-wide), and 73.4% favoured an outright ban (68.1% UK-wide).
The 10-week public consultation on ‘Creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping’, closed on 6 December.
Over 25,000 responses were analysed, and the government response sets out plans for upcoming legislation which will be introduced in Parliament shortly.
Creating a smokefree generation goes beyond the harm to public health. The trade in illicit cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco and other tobacco products has far reaching implications. HMRC estimates that the illicit tobacco trade costs the UK economy around £2.8 billion a year in lost revenue – money that should fund our public services.
Today, HMRC and Border Force will publish a new Illicit Tobacco Strategy, ‘Stubbing Out the Problem’, which:
sets out their continued commitment to reduce the trade in illicit tobacco, with a focus on reducing demand, and to tackle and disrupt organised crime behind the illicit tobacco trade
highlights the cost to the UK in lost tax revenue and the burden to taxpayers, the undercutting of law-abiding businesses, and the funding of wider organised crime through illicit tobacco sales.
There has been widespread support for the ban:
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England: “As Children’s Commissioner, I want all children to grow up healthy and well, which is why I have been calling for disposable vapes to be banned, to protect children and prevent them from becoming addicted.
“I am absolutely delighted that the Government has listened to the appeals that I, and many others, have made to ban disposable vapes. I also welcome the decision to create far tighter restrictions on marketing and flavours of vapes so they aren’t so appealing to children and young people.
“When I asked children a couple of years ago about all aspects of their health and wellbeing, I was shocked and concerned to hear from children as young as 12 who told me that vaping was normalised among their peers – even on school premises. This announcement will help tackle that issue and I know that many children and parents will be extremely relieved.”
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Vice President for Policy, Dr Mike McKean, said: “We’re delighted that the Westminster Government has heard our calls and is rightly prioritising the health and well-being of our children and the planet.
“Bold action was always needed to curb youth vaping and banning disposables is a meaningful step in the right direction. I’m also extremely pleased to see further much needed restrictions on flavours, packaging, and marketing of vapes, which RCPCH has repeatedly called for.
“As a respiratory consultant it is not lost on me that smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and disease in the UK. We know this because we have 60 plus years of research and data on cigarette use on a population level. But the research and data around widespread e-cigarette use is still very much in its infancy. The long-term impacts, especially for children and young people, remain unknown.
“Government must swiftly lay the legislation to ensure it can be fully considered in this Parliament. We look forward to seeing more details about these landmark plans, especially in terms of implementation, enforcement, and monitoring.”
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Community Wellbeing Board said: “We’re delighted that the Government has listened to the longstanding concerns of the LGA and councils and are taking decisive action to ban single-use vapes.
“Disposable vapes are inherently unsustainable products, meaning an outright ban remains the most effective solution to this problem.
“Single use vapes blight our streets as litter, are a hazard in our bin lorries, and are expensive and difficult to deal with in our recycling centres. Their colours, flavours and advertising are appealing to children and are a risk to the health of young people.
“We look forward to working with the Government and others to enforce this ban as well as ensure plans for a smokefree generation are a success.”
Henry Gregg, Director of External Affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “We welcome this robust approach to protecting young people from vaping.
“Disposable vapes, with their pocket money prices and brightly-coloured packaging have contributed to the increase in under-18s taking up vaping, and we support a well thought-out, properly enforced ban on disposable vapes.
“Immediate action to restrict flavours, packaging, and the display of vapes to reduce their appeal and availability to children and non-smokers is also much needed.
“If you’re a smoker and you want to quit tobacco, vaping can be a helpful way to give up smoking. But for children and those who don’t smoke, starting to vape isn’t a good idea, especially if you have a lung condition.
“The plan to create a smoke-free generation is a landmark decision that really shows the Government is putting the health of young people first. It’s one of the most impactful things the Government can do to protect future generations from developing lung conditions caused by smoking.
“Smoking is the biggest cause of lung disease deaths and today’s decision will save thousands of lives. Now these measures must be implemented as quickly as possible, with sufficient funding, to ensure they can be fully enforced.”
Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, said: “Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of cancer, and research shows that vapes are far less harmful than smoking and can help people to quit.
“If this legislation is passed, the UK Government should ensure local smoking cessation services are adequately funded, and those trying to quit are given as much support as they need to help them do so.
“We are also pleased to see that the Government is moving forward with the tobacco age of sale legislation, applying to all tobacco products, taking us one step closer to creating the first smokefree generation.”
Libby Peake, Head of Resource Policy, Green Alliance : “This ban can’t come soon enough, not only for the health of future generations, but also for the health of the planet.
“The government has followed the science, and this decision will have many environmental benefits. Valuable lithium ion batteries will stop going to waste or winding up as litter, along with all the casings that have been blighting our environment for too long.
“This means critical raw materials will be preserved for uses where they’re much needed – like renewable energy. The risk of fire from mishandled batteries will be minimised and dangerous plastic pollution will be prevented.
“This bold move by the government is nothing but good news.”
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, said: “The announcement of a ban on disposable vapes is great news for the environment.
“Our surveys show that disposable vape litter has doubled in the past two years alone and last year more than 16% of the sites we surveyed were blighted by these single-use items, posing a significant risk to wildlife and polluting our streets, parks and beaches.
“An estimated 260 million are thrown away in this country every year, wasting precious scarce resources, including lithium.”
Gavin Graveson, Veolia Senior Executive Vice President, Northern Europe, said: “When faced with an environmental crisis, every product that enters the market should be designed for recyclability.
“Disposable vapes are a clear example of when products have been designed with no thought for their environmental impact and should be subject to an extended producer responsibility scheme that incentivises the right eco-design.
“Millions of disposable vapes have been littered causing environmental damage or thrown in bins where they cause weekly fires in recycling and waste trucks as well as treatment facilities.
“We can’t afford to allow more pollution. Veolia’s recycling scheme has already recycled over one million vapes and we support policies that will curb products with no end of life treatment.”
