Be in for just a penny and lose the pounds in time for Christmas. Edinburgh Leisure is reducing their normal joining fee to just 1p on any of their swim, gym, fitness classes, and climb memberships meaning there’s no excuse not to get fit and manage your well-being in the run up to the festive period.
The offer is available from Friday, 20 October until Sunday, 5 November 2023 and is available to buy online only or in venue.
As everyone is different and needs to find their own way to a healthy and active life, Edinburgh Leisure offers a range of different membership options to suit everyone including swim, gym and fitness class only to full monthly memberships.
By offering different types of membership, people can match their activity preferences to their pocket.
With 50+ venues including 1 climbing centre, 12 swimming pools including five Victorian pools, 15 gyms, and 750+ fitness classes per week, Edinburgh Leisure is the ‘biggest club in town’ providing the widest range of fitness classes, state of the art facilities and community-based programmes across the capital.
So, wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure has something to suit your needs.
More than 100 families attended the public launch of the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS campaign in Edinburgh this week.
Children got to meet Pantosaurus, the campaign’s mascot, as well as play games and get their faces painted at the McDonald Road Library on Tuesday (October 17th).
It was the first in-person event for the Talk PANTS campaign in Edinburgh, which will help protect young children from sexual abuse.
The year-long campaign was launched earlier this month (October 5) with an online event for professionals who work with children and families. It is being delivered by NSPCC Scotland, the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee and a wide range of partners across the city to spread the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS message.
Talk PANTS gives parents, carers and professionals advice on how to have simple, age-appropriate conversations with children to help keep them safe from sexual abuse.
With the help of a colourful animated dinosaur, called Pantosaurus, it helps children understand that their body belongs to them, that they have a right to say no and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.
At the family event there were refreshments, a Bookbug session, colouring in, games and Talk PANTS materials for parents and carers to take away.
Carla Malseed, Local Campaigns Manager at the NSPCC, said:“We were amazed at the turnout in McDonald Road Library. It was great to see how thrilled the children were to meet Pantosaurus.
“This campaign doesn’t use scary words or talk about sex, instead we focus on the PANTS rules that help children understand important messages, like their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they’re upset or worried about something.
“We hope this campaign will provide parents with the knowledge and skills to be able to talk about this difficult topic with their child from a young age, to help prevent abuse.”
Over the coming year, local PANTS champions will be trained to deliver the campaign messages and resources to other professionals and families through webinars and workshops, and awareness raising events will be held across Edinburgh for parents, carers and children.
The campaign materials and resources for parents, include a British Sign Language PANTS video, a Talk PANTS with Makaton guide, which is designed to be used to deliver the PANTS message to children with Additional Support Needs, and a Pantosaurus film. There are also resources for teachers to use in primary schools.
Parents and professionals can also find out how to Talk PANTS here. The adult guides include ones for foster carers and parents with learning disabilities.
Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice.
Did you know that over 7,000 women – mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmas, aunties, nieces, cousins, friends – are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year?
One of those women was my mother, actress Marjie Lawrence. We lost her in 2010 when she died of ovarian cancer, just three weeks after her diagnosis.
Receiving an ovarian cancer diagnosis is devastating. The latest research from the charity Target Ovarian Cancer revealed that over half the women diagnosed struggle with their mental health as a result. Despite this, there is a desperate lack of support and information available – from the moment of diagnosis, throughout treatment, and beyond into recovery and adjustment back to everyday life.
This is not acceptable. Women are left feeling lost, scared, and unsure where to turn.
That’s why I am writing to you today to ask for your help.
Target Ovarian Cancer aims to look after every area of life for a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This includes providing a nurse-led support line and group events where women can access crucial information and vital support. The charity also produces information guides and tools to empower women with knowledge – helping them to take control of their health.
These essential tools need urgent funding.
From midday Wednesday 11th October to midday Wednesday 18th October, there’s a fantastic opportunity to raise these funds when Target Ovarian Cancer teams up with THE BIG GIVE APPEAL to raise up to £20,000!
EVERY donation made will be matched, so it will have DOUBLE the impact. Donate £5, and it will raise £10. Donate £50 and it will raise £100.
Target Ovarian Cancer is there for everyone affected by ovarian cancer, any time they need it. Through Target Ovarian Cancer and The Big Give, more women living with ovarian cancer will be able to receive invaluable support and information – absolutely essential for the best possible outcomes.
To make a donation and have it doubled, please visit:
Fearless – the youth service of Crimestoppers – have reported a huge increase in young people engaging with their recent youth violence and weapon possession campaign.
In just a three-week period, over 33,000 young people in Scotland swiped from Fearless’ latest Snapchat campaign to the charity’s website at Fearless.org Once there, young people were able to learn more about the common myths around weapon carrying, the Law and listen to podcasts from people with lived experience of serious violence.
Dozens of intel reports were submitted 100% anonymously to the charity about people carrying weapons and responsible for other serious crimes.
The campaign was launched in September at Eastbank Academy, Glasgow.
The highly successful Snapchat campaign content was designed entirely by a small group of young people from elsewhere in the city who volunteer with the charity.
Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator at Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “I’m delighted by the results our youth violence campaign. It shows the sheer scale of young people’s willingness to engage; recognising that the issue of violence and weapon possession needs to improve and wanting to play their part in making their community safer.
“Young people have so much talent to offer. When we focus on a tiny fraction of young people making unsafe choices, it can be easy to forget that the vast majority want to be, and indeed are, part of the solution.
“Fearless provides a very clear call to action for young people. We make it easy to speak up about crime by providing a way to do so 100% anonymously through our website Fearless.org or by calling us on 0800 555 111.
“That means you don’t need to worry about the stigma sometimes associated with reporting, the potential retaliation and so on. We can’t track your IP address or any contact details so nobody will know the information came from you but you will make lives safer.
“I am immensely proud of the service we offer at Fearless.org and how we empower young people in Scotland to feel confident speaking up about crime.”
One young person who was involved in the design of the Snapchat content said: “I know people who are in gangs and have knives and stuff and I know someone my age who was stabbed recently.
“Something needs to be done and I cannae get rid of like the gangs or anything but helping with this was fine. I’m really happy there was a good response.”
Chief Superintendent Derek Frew from Police Scotland’s Partnerships, Preventions and Community Wellbeing Division said: “Carrying or using a knife can have a devastating impact on our communities.
“We remain committed to reducing the number of knife-related offences occurring within Scotland and working with partners to educate young people about the risks and consequences associated with such crimes.
“The Fearless campaign allows young people to anonymously report any concerns they have about someone carrying a knife, which, in turn, allows police to investigate and potentially prevent a violent crime involving a bladed weapon.
“We have been extremely encouraged by the engagement from young people throughout Scotland as part of the campaign and are grateful to those who have come forward and provided Fearless with information, for us to follow up on.”
Callum Beattie meets music therapy participant supported by £50,000 Specsavers donation ahead of Scottish Music Awards
SPECSAVERS has named music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins, as its official charity partner for Scotland.
The high street opticians and audiologists has made a £50,000 donation to bolster the charity’s services across Scotland. Their work has pioneered music therapy for the past 60 years, harnessing the power of music to help break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation.
Laura Baird, a Specsavers store director, says: ‘Nordoff and Robbins helps people connect through their senses, which closely reflects the work we do at Specsavers.
‘We are delighted to make this donation to the charity, knowing that it will directly help people all across Scotland who depend on music therapy to enhance their quality of life.’
Laura, along with Scots singer-songwriter and charity ambassador Callum Beattie, attended a music therapy session to learn first-hand how Specsavers’ donation will help Nordoff and Robbins support its Scottish clients.
The session took place at St. Andrews Hospice in Airdrie with Frank Fennessey who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013. Frank has enjoyed playing the bass guitar throughout his life and is able to continue doing so with support from a Nordoff and Robbins music therapist.
Callum, who released his second album ‘Vandals’ earlier this year, says: ‘Music helps me express emotions and thoughts that I sometimes find hard to put to words. Playing together with Frank during our session was so special. I could see his face light up and confidence soar.
‘Music is incredible for self-expression and allows people to connect, even when words fail. The donation from Specsavers will allow people like Frank to continue to benefit from music therapy sessions right across Scotland.’
Frank has been attending music therapy sessions for five years since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He says: ‘I bought my first bass guitar when I was 15-years-old, having been a huge rock and roll fan.
“I played in local bands my whole life. After I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s I didn’t play for a few years until I started my Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapy sessions at St. Andrews Hospice.
‘My music therapist really takes her time with me, showing me how to adapt and play at a pace that I can manage. I’m back to playing every day and my music therapy sessions are something I look forward to every week.’
Sally Fennessey, Frank’s wife, is looking forward to celebrating 44 years of marriage this year. She says: ‘The music therapy sessions have made a huge difference to Frank. It gives him something to focus on and a chance to socialise with others.
“It’s also a huge confidence boost. I’ve never been so happy to hear him play Led Zeppelin in the spare room at home.’
Laura, who is the store director at Specsavers Wishaw, adds: ‘It’s great being able to see the joy music therapy is bringing to the people who need it in our local community, right here in North Lanarkshire.‘
Specsavers’ donation will support a range of endeavors, from the acquisition of new instruments, to the training of new music therapists, to better facilitate Nordoff and Robbins’ work with people throughout Scotland who use its services.
The charity’s work can be transformative for a wide range of people, from an adult with dementia reconnecting with family to a neurodivergent child expressing themselves through music.
Sandy Trappitt, deputy director of fundraising at Nordoff and Robbins, says: ‘We are hugely appreciative for the charitable donation from Specsavers.
“The much-needed cash boost will positively impact our service offering across Scotland, helping ensure that everyone who could benefit from music therapy does.
‘Music therapy allows people to express themselves and share a connection and we hear daily from clients and families about the incredible benefits it provides. Music is a universal language which everyone deserves to enjoy.’
Specsavers’ optical and audiology expertise can be easily accessed throughout Scotland at its 80 locally-owned stores. Those unable to attend a Specsavers store unaccompanied can receive the same eye care at home via its Home Visits service. Specsavers Home Visits covers more than 90% of the UK.
Scotland is set to receive its first total-body scanner in a boost to clinical research that aims to improve the detection, diagnosis and treatment of complex, multi-organ diseases.
The Total-Body Positron Emission Tomography (PET) facility, due to be operational in 2024, will capture images of patients’ entire bodies quicker, in more detail and use less radiation than existing scanners.
In combination with data from the other new scanner in London, the Scotland scanner forms part of a new National PET Imaging Platform (NPIP) which experts believe will accelerate the development of new drugs and diagnostics.
The platform, a partnership between Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Innovate UK, aims to advance healthcare research and clinical trials, and unlock new treatments for complex diseases like cancer as well as cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
The NPIP Scotland Total-Body PET facility will allow academics to connect to the new platform to share data and collaborate on research.
The scanners are part of a £32 million investment intothe ground-breaking technology by the UK Government, through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Infrastructure Fund.
The facility, based at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, will be jointly managed by the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
NPIP’s Total-Body PET scanners have higher sensitivity than current technology and will reveal new insights into biology and disease.
PET scanning is a non-invasive imaging technique that can detect diseases’ early onset.
Current PET technology leaves large sections of the human body out of the field of view, requiring the patient to be repositioned multiple times to achieve a full-body view.
Supplied by Siemens Healthineers, the two Total-Body PET scanners will capture superior images of a patient’s entire body in near real-time.
The new scanners are also faster, exposing patients to much lower doses of radiation, meaning more patients – including children – can participate in clinical trials to improve understanding of diseases.
The speed of Total-Body PET scanners mean that NPIP will be able to facilitate more patient scans, enhancing the scale and impact of clinical research projects.
This richer picture of human health will help researchers to develop new diagnostics, improve the quality and speed of drug discovery, and bring them to market quicker to benefit patients.
NPIP’s network of infrastructure and intelligence will provide a complete picture of patients and how they respond to new drugs and treatments.
Uniquely, it will also connect insights from many research programmes and trials. In doing so, it will begin to build a rich bank of data that the PET community can access for the benefit of patients.
Professor David Newby, The University of Edinburgh, Co-Director of the NPIP Scotland Centre, said: “The Scotland Total-Body PET facility will bring together academics, industry and clinicians to create an integrated and accessible national PET facility for the benefit of patients across Scotland and the north of England.
“The Total-Body PET scanner will allow us to examine patients in ways that haven’t been possible before, propelling medical innovation and discovery, and ultimately improving the detection, diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases, including cancer.”
Dr David Lewis, University of Glasgow, Co-Director of the NPIP Scotland Centre, said: “Total-Body PET scanners are a quantum leap forward in the technology of body scanning, and we are proud that a partnership between the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow will jointly manage one of the first of these cutting-edge scanners in the UK.
“The Scotland Total-Body PET scanner will be a catalyst for innovative new research and cross-sector collaboration, ultimately benefitting patients by improving our understanding of complex diseases.”
Dr Juliana Maynard, Director of Operations and Engagement for the National PET Imaging Platform and Head of Translational Imaging at Medicines Discovery Catapult, said: “PET scanning is nothing short of transformational for patients who need it the most.
“Total-Body PET scanners can detect serious diseases with unprecedented speed and accuracy. NPIP will allow the kind of collaboration in imaging research the likes of which the UK has never seen before. It means that, collectively, we can power forward drug discovery with renewed confidence and drive world-leading capabilities in detection, diagnosis, and treatment.”
An awareness campaign has been to launched to make sure people know the best place to go for healthcare over the winter.
Right Care Right Place has been rolled out earlier than in previous years to help Scots know which health setting is best for their medical concerns, and in turn to help alleviate pressures on the NHS and social care ahead of an expected increase in demand.
The campaign, featuring targeted advertising on television, radio and online, tells people how to access the most appropriate care for their physical or mental health needs.
The public is advised to use self-help guides on the NHS inform website, visit their local pharmacy for advice, telephone NHS 24 on 111, or contact their general practice surgery. Accident & Emergency departments should be used only for genuine emergencies.
The series of self-help guides include advice on the most common winter illnesses, based on the health concerns raised on calls to NHS24 on 111.
Health Secretary Michael Matheson said: ““Since early spring we have been working closely with colleagues across the NHS and social care to make sure that every possible mitigation is in place ahead of winter. Our Winter Plan will be published later this month.
“Public information and awareness is a key part of our plan, and that’s why we are starting our awareness campaign earlier than in previous years.
“Through this campaign we want to make sure the public know exactly how to access services when they need them. This will help everyone to get the right care, in the right place as quickly as possible. Crucially, it will also help to alleviate pressures on the rest of the system. People can also help by making sure they get their Covid and flu vaccinations if eligible.”
Self-Harm Network Scotland (SHNS) have announced the launch of their new live chat service; available to anyone aged 12 + across Scotland who needs support with their self-harm.
The SHNS service is operated by Penumbra Mental Health, a pioneering charity providing dedicated services for people with mild to serious enduring mental ill health.
The live chat was created to provide a support service outside of normal working hours, when those experiencing self-harm may be at their most vulnerable.
The live chat is a new addition to the portal, which was created to provide recovery-focussed support, tools and information that anyone can access to enable people to support themselves and others. This includes sections for those who self-harm, people supporting someone who self-harms, and professionals working with someone who self-harms. Additionally, you will still be able to self-refer onto the service via an online form outside of the live chat operating ours.
This next step will allow people anywhere in Scotland to get immediate support from one of the trained volunteers or peer practitioners. They can offer a listening ear, guidance and support when it’s needed most. Penumbra Mental Health is the largest employer of mental health peer workers in Scotland with 26% of its teams in peer support roles.
SHNS hopes that this service will reach people in their time of need, get them to where they need to be, keeping them safe and well on their journey to recovery.
Shona McBain, Senior Peer Practitioner, Self-harm Network Scotland,said: “Through the live chat, you will still receive that emotional peer connection that you receive through all our other services.
“You will either be connected with one of our peer practitioners or trained volunteers, many of whom have their own lived experience of self-harm.
“The difference with this service is that there is no requirement to agree to ongoing support. Our team will meet you at whatever stage you are at in your self-harm journey, and provide you with support that is tailored to your own needs. This might be a one-off conversation, or we may refer you to ongoing support if you wish.”
Meghan Drysdale, Service Manager, Self-harm Network Scotland,said: “Since SHNS’ infancy, the service has continued to grow and adapt to meet the needs of people across Scotland and raise awareness of Self-harm.
“Our team of practitioners exemplifies their unwavering commitment to working with those who engage in Self-harming, and this is driven by genuine enthusiasm for supporting others.
“Every member of our team brings a unique blend of passion and expertise, and this has allowed our service to grow and work so well to reach those in need.
“The addition of the live chat allows us to continue to reach more and more people in need of support. It reduces barriers and allows anonymity for those who aren’t ready to be known.”
Supported Person, Self-harm Network Scotland: “I received support from Self-harm Network Scotland after suffering with anxiety and depression following the birth of my daughter. I used self-harm at the time to cope with my feelings and emotions.
“The support I received was amazing. One of the best parts of the whole service was having someone with lived experience like my peer practitioner by my side. They helped me understand that I wasn’t alone in what I was experiencing.
“I had 15 sessions in total and I was initially worried about them coming to an end. When I found out about the live chat launching, this filled me with confidence. I knew that I had the tools to cope that my peer practitioner had equipped me with, but also, that the chat was there if I was ever struggling and needed to talk to someone quickly.
“I want more people to be aware that the live chat and self-referral process are there if you need help.”
The government has launched a public consultation on youth vaping as part of measures to clamp down on vapes being promoted to children
Launch of public consultation following Prime Minister’s historic proposals to create first smokefree generation and crack down on youth vaping
Teenagers, parents, teachers, medical professionals, academic experts and others have eight weeks to submit views on government plans and to share experiences
The government is committed to clamping down on vapes being promoted to children while ensuring adults who want to quit smoking remain supported
People of all ages are being invited to take part in a public consultation seeking views on plans to crack down on youth vaping by reducing the appeal, affordability and availability of vapes to our children.
The consultation launched today (Thursday 12 October) is open to anyone, of any age, in the UK and includes proposals to restrict child-friendly flavours and bright coloured packaging. People have eight weeks to share their experiences and opinions and help shape future policy on vaping and smoking.
Last week, the Prime Minister unveiled plans to introduce a new law to stop children who turn 14 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes, in a bid to create the first ‘smokefree generation’. Smoking is the UK’s biggest preventable killer – causing around 1 in 4 cancer deaths and 64,000 in England alone – costing the economy and wider society £17 billion each year.
He also set out the government’s concerns about the worrying rise in vaping among children, with youth vaping tripling in the last three years and one in five children having now used a vape. Vaping is rightly used by adults as a tool to quit smoking, but the health advice is clear – if you don’t smoke, don’t vape and children should never vape.
Views on these proposals are now being sought from everyone, including the public, the retail sector, clinicians and medical professionals, public health stakeholders, academic experts, employers and trade unions.
The consultation has generated widespread support right across the four corners of the UK, with the Welsh government, Scottish government, and the Northern Ireland Department of Health all giving it their backing and agreeing to a joint consultation.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Last week I promised to create the first smokefree generation and I am wasting no time to deliver on that promise.
“Our ambitious plans will reverse the worrying rise in youth vaping while protecting our children from the dangerous long-term effects of smoking as quickly as possible.”
Proposals being consulted on include:
Making it an offence for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to be sold tobacco products
Restricting the flavours and descriptions of vapes so that vape flavours are no longer targeted at children – we want to ensure this is done in a way that continues to support adult smokers to switch
Regulating point of sale displays in retail outlets so that vapes are kept out of sight from children and away from products that appeal to them, such as sweets
Regulating vape packaging and product presentation, ensuring that neither the device nor its packaging is targeted to children
Considering restricting the sale of disposable vapes, which are clearly linked to the rise in vaping in children. These products are not only attractive to children but also incredibly harmful to the environment
Exploring further restrictions for non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine consumer products such as nicotine pouches
Exploring whether increasing the price of vapes will reduce the number of young people using them
Introducing new powers for local authorities to issue on-the-spot fines (Fixed Penalty Notices) to enforce age of sale legislation of tobacco products and vapes
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “There has been a surge in vaping amongst children, which is why we’re taking action to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes. Vapes should never be used by children and we’re committed to reversing this trend.
“We also need to take bold action to protect future generations from the harms of smoking addiction, which damages health at every stage of life and costs the economy billions.
These proposals build on previous initiatives to crack down on vapes becoming commonplace in classrooms while recognising them as an effective quit tool for smokers and central to the ambition for England to be Smokefree by 2030. A UCL study estimated that swapping to vaping is already helping 50,000 to 70,000 smokers in England quit each year– saving thousands of lives.”
Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England said: “Smoking causes cancers, heart and lung disease, stroke, stillbirth and dementia. Ensuring people do not become addicted to smoking, and helping them overcome addiction to stop smoking are two the best interventions for health.
“Vaping is less dangerous than smoking but still has risks and can cause addiction. Vaping can be useful for smokers to quit, but should not be marketed to non-smokers and marketing them to children is utterly unacceptable.”
Selling vapes to children is already illegal, but it is clear from recent statistics that vapes are too often targeted at children with the promotion of cheap, colourful and sweet flavours commonplace. This is despite the addictive nature of nicotine and the long term harms of vapes being unknown. Nicotine vapes in particular can be highly addictive and withdrawal causes anxiety, trouble concentrating and headaches.
Recent figures show the number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled, with 20.5% of children aged between 11 and 17 having tried vaping in 2023, according to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).
Similar trends are reflected globally, including in Canada and New Zealand. Use amongst younger children is also rising, with 9% of 11- to 15-year-olds reportedly using vapes, according to a 2021 survey by NHS Digital.
Scottish Government Health Secretary Michael Matheson said: “We have already committed to a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034 and we welcome the opportunity to take part in this UK-wide consultation on creating a smoke-free generation.
“Scotland has a range of world-leading tobacco control measures – we were the first country in the UK to introduce a ban on smoking in indoor public places in March 2006. As a result, smoking rates are at an all-time low. We continue to be ambitious and have more work to do to create a tobacco free Scotland, and I look forward to the refreshed tobacco action plan being published shortly.
“We will continue to work with the UK Government and other devolved administrations on joint approaches where appropriate.”
Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Lynne Neagle said: “We want to take all actions possible to stop young people from starting smoking in the first place and from vapes being use by and targeted at children.
“We have decided to consult jointly on these proposals as we believe they will be stronger if undertaken on a four nations basis. I therefore encourage anyone with an interest in tobacco or vaping to take part in the consultation and share their views on how we can best protect children and young people from these products.”
Permanent Secretary at Northern Ireland’s Department of Health Peter May said: “Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has agreed that NI will be included in the public consultation, to help inform future decision making.“
Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation said: “Following the Government’s very welcome signal that it intends to take decisive action to ensure future generations are smoke free, we are pleased to see it also consult about vaping.
“This is an important opportunity to ensure that regulations around vaping are effective, and that any actions carry the confidence of the public.
Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “We welcome today’s consultation on vaping announced by the government. It is clear we must urgently act to stop children accessing vapes.
“Disposable vapes at their current pocket money prices, with cartoons and bubble-gum flavour options, are far too attractive and easy for children to access. We also want to see restrictions on the marketing of vapes and on flavours so that they do not target children.
“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.”
Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of health charity ASH, said: “Ground-breaking legislation to protect the next generation from smoking and vaping is needed, wanted and workable.
“This consultation will ensure all voices are heard and the balance is struck between protecting children while still helping adult smokers quit. However, consultation must be followed rapidly by legislation to be passed in this parliamentary session.
“There is no time to waste, every day hundreds of children start smoking for the first time, two thirds of whom will go on to become daily addicted smokers.”
Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: “We’re pleased that the UK Government’s consultation into youth vaping and smoking has launched. Preventing young people from taking up vaping is an area that needs stronger regulation, and we look forward to responding.
“But it’s important to remember that based on current evidence, vaping is far less harmful than smoking cigarettes, and can help people to quit. The government is right to consider how any changes will impact people who use e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.”
Dr Jeanette Dickson, Chair of Council of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said: “The Academy welcomes the consultation on smoking and vaping.
“Smoking causes death and disability across all ages due to premature birth, heart disease, lung cancer and dementia. Eradicating smoking can only benefit the health of the population.”
The introduction of cheap and accessible disposable vape products is also causing major environmental harm. Latest figures from Material Focus show 5 million disposable vapes are thrown away each week, a rapid increase from 1.3 million last year and is equivalent to the lithium batteries of 5,000 electric vehicles.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “The scale of the waste created by disposable vapes in the UK is shocking – industry research shows nearly 5 million single-use vapes are thrown away every week.
“Not only will the Prime Minister’s historic proposals to crack down on cheap and accessible disposable vapes help create the first smoke-free generation, but they will be of major benefit to the environment by tackling a particularly problematic waste stream.”
The new plans are backed by concrete evidence following the department’s youth vaping call for evidence. This received 441 responses, with the majority (324) coming from individual respondents and 117 coming from organisations.
Concerned parents and carers, education professionals and charities echoed the Prime Minister’s concerns about underage use and availability of often counterfeit or illicit products – frequently displaying cartoons.
Parents told us more children are trying vapes than ever before because of the cheap price of disposable options, diverse range of flavours and marketing which makes vapes look more like sweets than a smoking alternative.
