Tag: health and wellbein

Sale of nicotine products to under-18s banned

Changes to protect young people from nicotine addiction

Under-18s will no longer be able to buy nicotine or herbal smoking products in Scotland, under new legislation which comes into force today (29 October).

The ban to protect children and young people from the harms of nicotine addiction, extends the protections in age-of-sale rules to all nicotine products, including pouches, strips and pearls, as well as herbal smoking products.

The new rules for Scotland also require anyone selling vaping, tobacco, nicotine and herbal smoking products to hold a valid registration by 29 April 2027. Once in force, it will mean Scotland will become the only nation in the UK to know exactly where these items are being sold.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “We want to protect future generations from nicotine addiction and we know that nicotine products, particularly pouches, are starting to gain popularity among young people.

“By banning the sale of these products to under-18s, the Scottish Government is taking a crucial step in protecting people’s health. This in turn is helping people across Scotland to live longer, healthier lives.

“Requiring tobacco and vape retailers to register their business to sell nicotine and herbal smoking products, will also provide a strong foundation for effective regulation and enforcement of the sale of these products in Scotland. I want to thank all of the retailers who have already registered and remind others they must to do so before the deadline next April.”

Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith said: ”Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms including depression, difficulty concentrating and insomnia.

“Whilst vapes may have a role to play in assisting addicted people to stop smoking, it is very clear to me that those who do not smoke should never start using nicotine products and this especially applies to children and young people.

“I welcome these new age of sale restrictions on nicotine and herbal smoking products which and will help reduce the health harms associated with nicotine addiction and address health inequalities in Scotland.”  

The ban forms part of Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026. Local authorities will be responsible for enforcing the regulations. 

Legislation restricting the sale of nicotine products, non-nicotine vaping products and herbal smoking products  to under-18s in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has also come into force today. All vaping products are already age restricted products in Scotland.

Key changes in Scotland include:

  • Age of sale for nicotine products and herbal smoking products. Only people aged 18 and over will be able to purchase these products
  • Proxy purchase  extended to cover adults aged 18 or over from buying or attempting to buy nicotine products and herbal smoking products on behalf of someone under 18
  • Retail register will be expanded to include nicotine products and herbal smoking products. Retailers have from 29 October 2026 to 29 April 2027 to register before enforcement starts
  • Free distribution. It will be an offence to give away any vaping or nicotine product, or coupon, to a member of the public
  • Substantial discount (sometimes known as nominal pricing). It will be an offence to sell vaping or nicotine products or coupons for these products at a substantial discount
  • Vending machines will no longer be able to sell nicotine products and herbal smoking products

Letters: Time to make a stand, says Target Ovarian Cancer

Dear Editor, 

It’s time to make a stand.  

Did you know that one in seven diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year die within two months after diagnosis? We are being failed. Enough is enough. 

On Tuesday 28 June I am marching to No 10 Downing Street, alongside Target Ovarian Cancer campaigners, to hand in our open letter signed by 20,000 people. Together, we’re demanding the government takes action on the awareness crisis in ovarian cancer.  

In 2019 I was working long hours in the City of London. With a daily commute, busy lifestyle and regularly visiting my sick mum, I was tired. But, like many women, I ignored this and continued on. Then one night, I felt a painful lump in my tummy. It was a tumour. I was later diagnosed with stage IIIa ovarian cancer. 

For me, ovarian cancer affected my whole body. My right leg bloated due to deep vein thrombosis and a clot on my lung was discovered. I had intense surgery to drain my kidneys and remove the tumour, as well as a total hysterectomy and many other procedures. I then underwent six rounds of chemotherapy.  

Ovarian cancer changed my life, and with no screening in place it is essential that we are all armed with awareness of symptoms. This means the cancer can be found earlier, and outcomes are significantly improved. No one should die because of a late diagnosis. 

Four out of five women cannot name the key symptom of ovarian cancer, bloating. This needs to change. 

I’m writing to ask your readers to take just two minutes of their time to learn the symptoms and spread the word to their families and friends: persistent bloating, feeling full or having difficulty eating, tummy pain, and needing to wee more often or more urgently.  

Become part of this movement to make change happen in government today by campaigning to improve the lives of people affected by ovarian cancer.  

With best wishes, 

Catherine Hunt

Target Ovarian Cancer is the UK’s leading ovarian cancer charity. We work to improve early diagnosis, fund life-saving research and provide much-needed support to women with ovarian cancer https://targetovariancancer.org.uk