Crimestoppers and Fearless Scotland launch annual ‘Speak Up Stay Safe’ campaign
Independent charity Crimestoppers and its youth programme Fearless Scotland are today launching their annual Bonfire Night safety campaign, urging people to speak up 100% anonymously if they know about planned attacks on emergency crews or deliberate fire-raising in their communities.
The campaigns – supported by the Scottish Government – also highlights the law around fireworks misuse, Firework Protection Zones, and, crucially, encourages people to speak up 100% anonymously about fire-raising.
Last year’s Crimestoppers’ campaign generated a wealth of information given anonymously to the charity which helped prevent at least three extremely serious, potentially life-threatening attacks on emergency crews in Scotland.
In particular, the annual campaign is asking for information on:
– Who and where organised attacks are being planned
– Where fireworks and weapons are being stored/stock-piled
– Who is responsible for deliberate fire-raising
Crimestoppers’ campaign aims to encourage reporting from the public about any planned attacks and additionally help gather information after bonfire night about who was responsible.
Communities who experienced an increase in firework attacks will be equipped with leaflets, posters and banners to raise awareness of the law around fireworks misuse and to encourage anonymous reporting about about who is responsible.
Angela Parker, National Manager of Crimestoppers in Scotland, said:“Our charity believes everyone has the right to feel safe, no more so than Scotland’s emergency services who risk their lives to keep us safe.
“Information from last year prevented a serious attack on our emergency services. That’s why we are asking anyone with information on those planning attacks to get in touch with our charity 100% anonymously.
“No-one will ever know you contacted us, and your information could be preventing serious injury or harm or even loss of life for emergency workers.”
Kirsten Oswald MSP, Minister for Community Safety, said: “We want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and I would urge anyone planning to use fireworks to do so responsibly.
“The emergency services play a vital role in keeping us all safe and any assaults on them will not be tolerated. Measures brought in in 2022 mean attacks on 999 crews using fireworks or pyrotechnics are now aggravating factors that courts can take into account when sentencing offenders.
“Other steps we have taken to improve firework safety include bringing in a ban on providing fireworks to under-18s.
“If you have information about any activity that might put emergency workers or communities at risk as Bonfire Night approaches, please get in touch with Crimestoppers by phone or on their website. You can do this anonymously and you could be helping to keep our 999 crews and your neighbours safe.”
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “While most people enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly, there are those who seek to target police officers and other emergency service workers with fireworks and other projectiles, putting them at serious risk of harm while they attempt to keep communities safe.
“We saw a number of these incidents occur last year, resulting in over 60 officers being injured and this is entirely unacceptable.
“If you are found to be involved in an offence that puts police officers, other emergency service workers, or the general public at risk of harm you will be brought to justice, either on the night or during our follow-up inquiries.
“I would encourage anyone who has information about planned Bonfire Night criminality to report, and they will be brought to justice. In the event you avoid being caught on the night, you can expect a visit from us once we have conducted our inquiries.
“I would ask the public to work alongside us in helping make Bonfire Night a safe and enjoyable occasion and to contact us directly via 101 or make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Officer Andrew Watt said: “Last year, our crews came under attack on nine occasions within an eight-hour period. Our staff work tirelessly over the Bonfire period to keep people safe, and do not deserve to be attacked for doing their job.
They should be able to carry out their role without being hurt or having appliances and equipment damaged by reckless anti-social behaviour.
“These actions are also an unnecessary drain on emergency service resources. We want to bring any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion – please respect our staff and all emergency services.”
Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive Michael Dickson said:“We know this time of year is about fun and celebration, but let’s not forget that those on the frontline, our ambulance crews should never have to worry about their own safety while they care for others.
“Unfortunately, we’re still seeing cases of our staff facing physical assaults and verbal abuse, often driven by too much drinking. These are dedicated professionals who deserve respect, not hostility. So, have a great night, enjoy the festivities, but please, treat our staff and emergency service partners with respect.”
GETTING ALONG WITH GRAN comes to LEITH DOCKERS CLUB
Citadel Arts Group is thrilled to be reviving its 4-star show, Getting Along with Gran, for two performances only, at Leith Dockers Club where the group has its base.
The North Edinburgh Arts audience loved the show in June, and the company are confident Gran will go down a bomb with their regular Leith supporters. Citadel Arts are looking forward to bringing the play to their Leith venue and Gran (Laverne Edmonds) has already met some of the locals although she was disappointed the Dockers bar didn’t seem to stock Babycham, her favourite tipple!
The play is scripted by Rhona McAdam, Elaine Campbell, San Cassimally and Pamela Hanlon, all members of Citadel Arts Group’s playwrights’ workshop.
They meet every week in Leith Dockers Club to develop new plays often based on local heritage and living memories. Getting Along with Gran is inspired by the powerful stories of the Social History Group based in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.
Both groups of older people collaborated to create the play. The script emerged from the life stories of Winifred Burke, Pat Gilhooley, Anna Hutchison, Bill and Greta McPhail, Helen McRae, David Norcliffe, Karen Soso, and Cathie Umobi.
They were thrilled to see their memories on stage in North Edinburgh Arts. Local audiences told us: ‘It was excellent . . . funny and thought provoking . . . I love that it was local history . . . loved how it was intergenerational’. Jim Aitken assured Citadel, ‘Having a play performed that came out of our social history project was wonderful.’
The stories range from a Silverknowes beach romance to anti-Thatcher demos in the 1970s. The play combines humour, nostalgia and a few slightly scary moments. It’s a show for all the family with a truly intergenerational cast.
The only change from the original line-up is in the roles of the children. In this new production they will be played by members of the Be Happy Performing Arts Company from Gorebridge.
Six wee thespians from the group coached by Mairi Jayne Weir, are keen to take part alongside the Citadel professionals.
Mairi Jayne Weir plays Em, the girl who learns to get along with her annoyingly forgetful and chatty Gran when she gets caught up in some of Gran’s funny and troubling memories.
Mairi Jayne told Citadel: ‘Taking part in Getting Along with Gran, performing beside professional actors is a wonderful opportunity for the young people.’
The company are delighted to have a real-life retired janitor, David Norcliffe in the cast again – playing a sympathetic Craigroyston jani!
Performance dates: Nov 12th 2.30 and 7pm
Venue: Leith Dockers, 17 Academy Street EH6 7EE
Cast and creatives:
DIRECTOR: Mark Kydd
Cast:
Jim Bryce, Laverne Edmonds, Chelsea Grace, Mairi Jayne Weir and Deborah Whyte
Community cast:
David Norcliffe and young people for the Be Happy Performing Arts Company, teacher Mairi Jayne Weir
Stage Manager: Maggie Brown
Light and Sound Design: Roddy Simpson
Props: Stewart Emm
Creative Producer: Liz Hare
Playwrights: Elaine Campbell, San Cassimally, Pamela Hanlon, and Rhona McAdam
Citadel Arts Group is a charity (SC 034687) dedicated to giving a voice to older people by preserving their stories and producing their plays in a variety of community venues including schools, care homes, Leith Custom House, churches, libraries, a moving barge, and recently the bar of the King’s Theatre.
Almost £1m to support ‘ask and act’ projects ahead of implementation of new legislation
Projects helping to prevent homelessness across Scotland will continue until the end of this financial year following additional Scottish Government funding of £945,000.
The Homelessness Prevention Pilots test approaches to early intervention and prevention. This fund will help organisations deliver ‘ask and act’ measures – new duties proposed in the Housing (Scotland) Bill that require public bodies to ask about a person’s housing situation early – and take action to prevent homelessness before it happens.
The extra funding is in addition to £4 million announced for the pilots in August last year and the extension will help maintain prevention capacity while final evaluation findings are completed and considered.
Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville will visit an ‘ask and act’ pilot project in Edinburgh’s Wester Hailes today. Crisis, which is a partner in the project, has also published a report setting out what successful prevention looks like and how to get there.
Ms Somerville said: “Preventing homelessness before it happens is one of the most important steps we can take to improve people’s lives.
“The work being carried out through these pilots is helping us understand how services can work together to identify risk earlier, intervene sooner and provide the support people need to stay in their homes and that is why I am pleased to confirm funding to extend them until March.
“This extension will ensure that valuable learning continues, that specialist expertise is retained, and that partners are supported as we prepare for the implementation of Scotland’s new homelessness prevention duties.
“Our aim is clear: to shift from managing homelessness crises to preventing them in the first place. We are investing more than £213 million this year – partly through the local government settlement – on homelessness measures aimed at delivering better outcomes for individuals, families and communities across Scotland.
“We have a shared ambition with Crisis to end homelessness, it is helpful to see the Changing Course report it has published today, which estimates the costs and the benefits of our new homelessness prevention duties.”
Maeve McGoldrick, Head of Policy at Crisis Scotland said: “Crisis Scotland genuinely welcomes today’s announcement as a strong message that preventing homelessness is a top priority for government.
“The prevention pilots show what is possible when services step in early, and from our frontline experience in Wester Hailes we have seen people keep their home when they would otherwise have been pushed towards homelessness.
“Extending the funding for the next few months provides much needed continuity to all services involved in this innovative work. Importantly, it also allows time to plan for the important next stage: scaling up the learning and best practice across Scotland, in time for national commencement in 2028.”
Scottish charity Right There has welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to extend funding for homelessness prevention pilots but highlights that early intervention and prevention must become the norm when dealing with homelessness.
Janet Haugh, CEO of Right Theresaid: “Today’s funding announcement is a very positive signal that the Scottish Government is taking prevention seriously when it comes to homelessness, and while we support any measure to address homelessness in a preventative manner we know that housing is not the sole cause of the problem.
“We need to move towards a more holistic approach that addresses issues such as poverty, mental health, addiction, and family breakdown which all contribute to people losing their homes, if we are serious about ending homelessness for good.”
The Scottish Government has today announced almost £1m to extend pilot projects to help organisations deliver ‘act and ask’ measures brought in under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2026 once the legislation is implemented.
The measures will impose duties requiring public bodies to ask about a person’s housing situation with the aim of being able to take action before homelessness occurs.
Janet Haughadded: “As a nation we are very good at dealing with crises but not so good at putting measures in place to prevent them in the first place.
“We welcome the extension to fund ‘ask and act’ pilots and we hope this will be part of a long term preventative strategy which will address the root causes of homelessness and signal a move away from jumping from one crisis to the next.”
Ask and act measures are expected to commence nationally in 2028.
Burnham confident every rough sleeper will have route off the street by Christmas as funding doubles
Prime Minister sets out confidence that everyone sleeping rough will be offered route off the street before Christmas, backed by a further £432 million to sustain support beyond this winter
New funding to be outlined funding to be confirmed at the Budget on Wednesday, taking total investment behind the Prime Minister’s commitment to £874 million
First-ever Rough Sleeping Summit at Downing Street brings together businesses, charities and local leaders to mobilise action, with major organisations pledging homes, jobs and practical support
The Prime Minister yesterday set out his confidence that everyone sleeping rough will be offered a route off the street or wider support before Christmas, as he announced a further £432 million to help deliver the ambition and sustain support for years to come.
The additional funding, to be set out at the Budget later this week, reflects the Prime Minister’s determination to make tackling rough sleeping a national priority. It will extend support beyond March 2027 and through to the end of this Parliament, taking total investment behind his commitment to £874 million.
It marks the next stage of the pledge the Prime Minister made on his first day in Downing Street: to stop accepting rough sleeping as a fact of life and unite the country behind a mission to end it.
Urgent action is already under way, with specialist outreach teams and new bedspaces operating in Coventry, and further provision being rolled out in places including Plymouth and Camden over the coming weeks. Backed by the initial £442 million, the programme is focused on ensuring everyone who needs it is offered a route off the streets before Christmas.
Yesterday’s additional investment will ensure that support does not end when winter does, providing continuity for frontline services and helping people move into settled accommodation and rebuild their lives.
But government cannot end rough sleeping alone. That is why the Prime Minister hosted the first-ever Rough Sleeping Summit at Downing Street, bringing together businesses, charities, housing providers and local leaders to mobilise the resources, expertise and commitment needed to deliver lasting change.
Organisations attending the summit are making significant new commitments.
The National Housing Federation will work with housing associations to identify at least 2,000 potential homes and bedspaces, including empty properties that could be brought back into use. Virgin Media O2 will provide practical digital support to frontline organisations, while L’Oréal Group will launch a pioneering Social Salon partnership with St Mungo’s and Haircuts4Homeless.
Together, these commitments will help people access not just a safe place to stay, but the homes, employment opportunities and support they need to build a more secure future.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Rough sleeping isn’t a fact of life. It’s a thing governments either choose to accept or don’t.
“Well I don’t accept it. That’s why we’re doubling funding so that people aren’t just offered a safe route off the streets this winter but have that same support right through the rest of this Parliament too.
“But we can’t do it alone. If we’re going to end rough sleeping, we need every part of society behind us on this. So today we’re bringing together businesses, charities and local leaders in Downing Street to make sure this is a solution that lasts.”
Secretary of State for Housing Angela Rayner said: “This is a big ambition – we know that. But we will not back down from making sure everyone has the offer of a route off the streets this Christmas.
“This summit is about bringing every part of society together behind that mission. Ending homelessness is not only a moral imperative – it will make our communities and our country better off.”
“The first step is giving people a roof over their head and freedom from the nightly struggle to find somewhere safe to sleep. But Christmas is only the beginning and that’s why we will keep working together to tackle the root causes of homelessness and end rough sleeping for good.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey said: “No one should ever have to sleep rough, which is why we are doubling our investment to more people and providing a chance to break the cycle and end sleeping on the streets of our country – not just this Christmas, but for the years to come.”
Monday’s Summit brought organisations from across society together to play their part, with new pledges including:
National Housing Federation working with housing associations to identify at least 2000 potential homes and bedspaces, including empty homes for people moving off the streets, working closely with local authorities.
Social Bite forming a new partnership with the government to expand its modular supported accommodation model, combining a settled home with intensive and community-based support.
Salvation Army working with their housing association Salvation Army Homes and public-sector partners to develop social housing, modular accommodation and move-on options, including provision for people with complex needs for whom mainstream accommodation may not be suitable.
UnLtd / Key Fund partnering with government to help social ventures create sustainable jobs for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Virgin Media O2 providing new support around devices, data and connectivity, in partnership with charity Refuge, helping women and their children affected by domestic abuse and experiencing homelessness stay connected to services and support.
IKEA combining direct funding, advocacy, employment programmes, community partnerships, and customer and public awareness-raising campaigns to tackle both the immediate impacts and underlying causes of homelessness.
L’Oreal Group launching an innovative ‘Social Salon’ partnership in the UK with St Mungo’s andHaircuts4Homeless, supporting rough sleepers with wellbeing provision.
Morrisons Foundation pledging to launch the Good Food Fund, providing £500,000 in grants to support communities to tackle food insecurity where it hits hardest, including supporting charities providing relief to people who are sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness, in support of the Prime Minister’s drive.
ReGenerate launching a partnership with Liverpool City Region, in coordination with the Liverpool Mayor’s new Homelessness Taskforce, to find ways in which businesses can do even more to tackle homelessness such as through driving pathways into employment across the region
Comic Relief committing further resources to tackle homelessness and housing insecurity, helping to raise public support and awareness in 2027.
Landsec offering access to its screens at Piccadilly and others across its retail portfolio to amplify homelessness charities and causes nationwide.
The Faith and Homelessness Collective, mobilising action across a group of 100+ church leaders and leaders of faith-inspired homelessness and housing organisations to support the PM’s instruction to offer everyone a route off the streets this winter and prevention in the long-term.
Over 30 organisations and investors from the impact economy – representing billions of pounds – signalling support to the PM’s drive and working with Government to bring more investment into move-on homes, support the organisations that help people stay housed, open up jobs and training, and put more money into prevention.
A coalition of philanthropic funders signalling their commitment to millions of pounds of investment into preventing homelessness, including a £10 million commitment from Julia Rausing Trust, and Henry Smith Foundation providing £500,000 of match funding with Birmingham City Council, to support Greater Change in providing relational support to rough sleepers in the city.
EARLIER CLOSING AND CHANGED HOURS FOR CITY LIBRARIES
On 30 November 2026 we’re changing our opening hours so that more people across the city can use our library services.
Public library opening hours
We’re changing our opening hours so that more people across the city can use our library services. These changes will take place on 30 November 2026.
The opening times are based on feedback from residents, people who use our libraries, our colleagues who work there and information on how and when our libraries are used.
Join us for the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People’s Memorial Service.
Families, friends and all who wish to remember and celebrate the lives of children who have died are warmly invited to attend our annual Memorial Service.
Sunday 29 November 2026
Doors open: 2.00pm
Service begins: 2.30pm
Refreshments available
Greyfriars Charteris Centre, 138/140 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9RR
This special service provides an opportunity to come together in remembrance, reflection and support.
With many pub owners now facing tough decisions, the insolvency practitioners Liquidation Centre have shared practical steps pubs and hospitality sector businesses can take now to regain control and reduce the risk of closure.
Richard Hunt, Director of Liquidation Centre provides expert insights into the actions pubs and hospitality businesses should consider before pressures become unmanageable.
Five practical steps pubs and hospitality owners can take now to limit insolvency threat:
Carry Out Cost Audits
A cost audit is one of the most vital steps pubs and hospitality businesses can take now to get a grip on their spending. Cost audits can help examine and identify where money is being lost, whether that’s on utilities, stock, or outdated supplier contracts. It is the perfect opportunity to separate essential costs from outdated habits and expenses. By doing this, owners can reduce wasteful spending, refine ordering, and gain a clearer picture of where the business stands.
Richard Hunt, Director of Liquidation Centre adds: “For pub owners, margins are tighter than they have been in years.
“No one opens a pub expecting to worry about insolvency, but the sooner you take a close look at the numbers, the more control you keep. A cost audit can reveal where money is slipping away and fix those pressure points before they spiral.”
Conduct Regular Pricing Strategies
With rising costs continuing to put pressure on the sector, pricing strategies are crucial in ensuring owners are protecting profitability. Regularly reviewing product prices enables pubs to ensure their profit margins align with rising business costs, without alienating consumers.
“Small, meaningful adjustments such as introducing premium menu offerings or rebalancing prices across the menu can boost profitability without impacting every product.
“Pricing strategies that are clear and well executed help pubs respond more confidently to market pressures, rather than reacting too late, when steep price changes could result in damaging customer trust.“
Examine and Renegotiate Leases
Managing fixed costs can be even more important than trying to boost sales, especially at a time when consumer confidence and spending are under pressure. When revenue drops and supplier costs rise, fixed expenses like rent can quickly start to feel overwhelming.
“Taking a close look at lease costs can open the door to renegotiation and give businesses more breathing room.
“It’s a practical step that can ease pressure on overheads and help pubs stay resilient during tougher trading periods, while building a bit of financial headroom.”
Explore Alternative Revenue Streams
Pubs rely heavily on drinks sales, but during times of economic uncertainty, customers tend to spend less, putting pressure on their main source of income. That’s why adaptability is vital. Pubs that are willing to explore and diversify revenue streams stand in better stead to cope with economic pressures.
“Transforming the pub into a space that offers more than just drinks can open up new income streams.
“Quiz nights, daytime co-working offers, lunch deals, or even selling local products can all bring in extra revenue and attract a broader mix of customers.”
Engage Early With Lenders and Advisors
During difficult trading periods, waiting until it is too late to act is one of the most common and biggest mistakes businesses make. Delaying those difficult conversations only increases the pressure and reduces the likelihood of coming out the other side. By speaking to advisors and lenders at the first signs of trouble, more options are likely to remain available, including restructuring support.
Lenders are also generally more willing to work with businesses that are proactive and transparent about their position. Continuing to trade as normal while knowingly facing insolvency can also expose owners to personal liability and reputational damage.
“Insolvency practitioners and advisors can bring experience most operators simply don’t have in-house. From cash flow forecasting to landlord negotiations, the key is knowing whether the business is facing a short-term liquidity problem or if there’s a deeper profitability issue.
“This can help to differentiate between a business that may simply have a temporary liquidity problem, one which may need restructuring, or a business with profitability issues. All of these need to be tackled in a unique and accurate way, making this distinction vital.”
Richard Hunt, Director of Liquidation Centre, shares his advice for pubs struggling to stay afloat:“Pubs are under huge pressure at the moment, so it’s important to look closely at where money is being spent.
“Small changes can make a real difference. Reviewing the menu, cutting food waste and focusing on the drinks and dishes customers actually want can help protect profits without having to put prices up across the board.
“Staffing is another area worth looking at. Making sure there are enough staff for busy periods, without paying for extra hours when trade is quiet, can help keep costs under control. But it’s just as important to maintain good service and give customers a reason to keep coming back.
“Most importantly, don’t wait until things get really bad before taking action. If you’re struggling to pay bills, falling behind on tax or constantly worrying about cash flow, take a proper look at the figures and get advice early.
“The sooner you deal with the warning signs, the more options you may have to turn things around. Leaving it too late can make an already difficult situation much harder to recover from.”
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has approved funding to enable Forth Valley College and Edinburgh College to develop a Business Case examining the potential for greater collaboration between the two institutions.
The funding follows an announcement in June that the Boards of both colleges had agreed to explore whether stronger collaboration could deliver additional benefits for learners, staff, employers and their respective communities.
The Business Case represents an evidence-gathering stage of that process. No decisions have been made about future partnership arrangements.
Work will examine existing areas of collaboration between the colleges as well as opportunities to strengthen these further. Areas considered could include sharing expertise and aligning activity in key growth sectors, while recognising the distinct identity, strengths and local roots of each college.
Kenny MacInnes, Principal of Forth Valley College, said: “This funding enables us to undertake the detailed work needed to understand properly both the opportunities and implications of closer collaboration with Edinburgh College.
“Our priority is to ensure that any potential future proposals are supported by robust evidence and demonstrate clear benefits for learners, staff, employers and the communities we serve.
“Please be assured, that no decisions have been made about what any future arrangements might look like. Staff and student engagement will be central to the process, and we are committed to being open and keeping our college community informed as the work develops.”
Audrey Cumberford, Principal of Edinburgh College, said: ““It’s great news that the SFC have recognised the potential of this project and our ambitions and have given us the backing to make progress with it.
“Along with the Scottish Government there is a clear appetite to explore reform in the sector and ensure that we have colleges that are fit for the future.
“I can’t wait to get the process underway and continue the dialogue with staff, students and stakeholders about the potential benefits collaboration between our two colleges could bring.”
Tiffany Ritchie, Director of Finance at the Scottish Funding Council, said: “A willingness and ability to collaborate is one of the defining features of Scottish tertiary education.
“I’m delighted that as part of the Public Service Reform initiatives, we are supportingForth Valley and Edinburgh colleges to explore further areas for joint working and in a way that involves their entire college communities.
“I look forward to the outcome of this exploratory work and to seeing the benefits that could materialise from it.”
The completed business case is expected in Spring 2027, at which point the Boards of both colleges will examine the findings and decide on whether both colleges will take further towards greater collaboration.
ASH Scotland and Scottish dental experts are welcoming a measure under the Tobacco and Vapes Act coming into force on Friday (29 October 2026) making it an offence to sell nicotine pouches to people under the age of 18.
The restriction, which aims to reduce sales of addictive health harming nicotine pouches to young people, is being welcomed by Action on Smoking and Health Scotland, the British Dental Association Scotland and an Edinburgh-based paediatric dentist, following growing concerns about impacts on oral health.
A health risk assessment by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment concluded that a main risk of using nicotine pouches is the high levels of nicotine, which has strong effects on the cardiovascular system and presents high risks for children.
Dentists in Scotland are also warning that the use of nicotine pouches can cause chronic inflammation and other negative impacts on gum tissue.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland said: “ASH Scotland welcomes this long overdue legislation to prevent sales of addictive health harming nicotine pouches to children.
“Nicotine addiction can have a devastating impact on young people through affecting their cardiovascular system, brain development and mental health.
“This restriction is an essential step in closing legal loopholes and preventing the tobacco and nicotine industry from continuing to generate massive profits at a cost to children’s health.”
Charlotte Waite, Director of the British Dental Association Scotland. said: “Dentists have already seen the impact these pouches can have on the gums of patients barely in their teens.
“It’s absolutely right to take them off the menu for young people.”
Francesca Capaldi, a paediatric dentist at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh, said: “Emerging evidence is raising concerns about the impact of nicotine pouches on oral health, including burning, pain and changes to the gums.
“We must take steps to protect children and young people from these potential harms and safeguard their oral health and wellbeing.”
In addition to the age of sale restrictions for nicotine pouches, the new law is also making it a criminal offence to provide free samples, discounts or coupons to promote all recreational nicotine products including vapes and nicotine pouches.
Need urgent health advice and cannot wait until your GP, pharmacy or dentist reopen
Sunday 29 November 2026
Doors open: 2.00pm
Service begins: 2.30pm
Refreshments available
Greyfriars Charteris Centre, 138/140 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9RR
