Tag: smoking

20th anniversary of Scotland’s leading smoke-free law celebrated

Public health charities, trade union representatives and people whose health or business improved following the ban of smoking in indoor public spaces are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Scotland’s UK-leading smoke-free legislation coming into force on 26 March.

Despite tobacco industry’s misinformation and campaigns to prevent the legislation which cleared the air in hospitality venues across the country, there was a recorded 99.4% compliance rate in pubs within eight weeks of the ban.

Longer term benefits of the ban included a 17% reduction in adult heart attack admissions to Scottish hospitals, reversing a previous rising trend, and an 18% decline in child asthma admissions. Second-hand smoke exposure among bar workers also reduced by 86%.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Scotland’s UK-leading smoke-free public spaces legislation was a major public health success in encouraging many people to give up smoking and driving down the dangerous exposure of toxic second-hand smoke for staff and customers, including children, in indoor settings.

“We are delighted to celebrate what is considered one of the most important public health measures in the first quarter of the 21st century and a landmark achievement of the devolved Scottish Parliament.

“We hope its success encourages the next generation of MSPs to further extend smoke-free protections especially to areas most used by children such as in playgrounds, around schools and in sporting facilities.”

Roz Foyer, General Secretary of the Scottish Trade Unions Congress (STUC), said: “The indoor smoking ban has been an unparalleled success and it was entirely right – thanks to the campaigning of organisations and unions across the country – that the then Scottish Executive showed leadership in introducing UK-leading smoke-free legislation. 

“Protecting workers in their workplace is a core principle of our movement. We’re proud to have helped deliver improved health outcomes and a safer working environment for bar workers and hospitality staff across Scotland and will continue to build on that work as this leading legislation marks its 20th anniversary”

Lilian Macer, UNISON Scottish secretary,said: “The smoking ban marked a fundamental shift in public health in Scotland. UNISON is Scotland’s biggest health union, and this decision had a significant impact on our health services and improved workplaces. 

“It seemed like radical legislation at the time, but it quickly became the new normal and it would now be unthinkable to return to smoke filled rooms.

“I remember feeling pride as people in Scotland just got on with it. The lack of resistance was because civic Scotland built a consensus around the legislation.

“It was a catalyst for a big reduction in smoking, particularly amongst young people and we’ll reap the benefits for generations to come – particularly in the NHS. Of course we’ve much more to do, but it’s important to mark the significant progress we’ve made.”

Gareth Brown, Policy and Public Affairs Officer for Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, said: “As we welcome the 20-year anniversary of the smoking ban in Scotland, we can reflect that something that seemed controversial at the time is now commonplace across much of Europe and indeed the world with widespread and popular support.

“The ban ensured that smoking inside public places has thankfully ceased, with the link between socialising and smoking broken. Since then, generations of young people have never started smoking and have largely avoided the harms caused by passive tobacco smoke.

“This has helped to bring down smoking rates, but there is much still to be done, particularly in more disadvantaged area. Scotland needed this ban to improve the nation’s lung health, and our fight continues to help everyone breathe better.”

Edinburgh smokers urged to aim for a tobacco-free 2026 to boost health and improve personal finances

ASH Scotland is encouraging people in Edinburgh who smoke to aim for a tobacco-free 2026 to save thousands of pounds and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

The health charity’s call is part of its campaign encouraging people who smoke to give up using self-determination or access NHS Scotland’s free, expert stop-smoking support service Quit Your Way.

Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps a person can take to lower their risk of long-term smoking-related illnesses.

When people decide to make give up smoking as their New Year’s resolution, not only will they find their health can improve within days, but an average smoker can save in the region of £277 by 31 January and £3,332 by the end of the year.

With specialist support from Quit Your Way, people who smoke can access in-person or over the phone advice which can help to make 2026 the year they quit for good.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Tobacco can be highly addictive so, if you’ve tried to quit before and gone back to smoking, don’t be discouraged. Each attempt helps you to understand better what methods work best for you.

“Giving up tobacco is the most important step you can take to improve your health, your finances, and the wellbeing of you and those around you.

“You don’t have to face quitting alone. This New Year, we are encouraging people in Edinburgh who smoke to reach out to NHS Scotland’s national or local Quit Your Way stop-smoking service. With their specialist support, you’ll gain the confidence, tools and motivation you need to have a tobacco-free 2026.”

For tips and resources to help you quit smoking, visit QuitYourWay.Scot or call the Quit Your Way Scotland free helpline on 0800 84 84 84.

Craigmount High School projects promote healthy lifestyle choices

Craigmount High School S2 pupils displayed great initiative in creating promotional materials encouraging young people to make positive lifestyle choices which were showcased during their recent ‘Live It!’ healthy living fair.

Several pupils chose to research the topic of e-cigarettes and addiction as part of their project work and created a campaign presenting information about the risks to health caused nicotine dependency.

The project work by students Owen Adams, Murray Bruce, Max Green and Olly Hay which also provided tips suggesting how young people could take steps to quit vaping, is being commended by health charity, ASH Scotland.

The pupils used the charity’s website to find details about the importance of tackling youth vaping, which is a major public health concern as e-cigarettes contain high levels of addictive nicotine as well as toxic chemicals.

Murray Bruce said: “Vaping isn’t only bad for your lungs. I’m concerned about young people getting addicted. I’ve found out it’ young people that are targeted with the bright colours and different flavours.

“I’d like to see more ‘fake customers’ going into shops to try to buy vapes from the shops that sell them to underage people and catch them. More people need to be caught so that they stop selling them.”

Project Learning Lead at Craigmount High School, Laura Thompson, who led the project said: “I’m pleased to see a number of our S2 pupils chose to focus on the issue of youth vaping, as it is a real concern to society.

“Banning smoking from public places seemed like such a game changer when that was brought in. Over 20 years on and we’ve just created a new problem. We don’t yet know the full extent of the issue, as long-term impacts of vaping are not yet known.

“I do worry about the health implications moving forwards. It’s important for young people to take the lead in finding out more and looking at what can be done to raise awareness of this problem.”

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “We congratulate all the S2 students at Craigmount High School for their dedicated work to raise awareness about the issues of addiction among young people and the challenges to health presented by tobacco and recreational nicotine products such as vapes.

“The information campaign developed by Owen, Murray, Max and Olly raised much-needed awareness about the damage that tobacco and e-cigarettes can cause young people in their excellent project work promoting healthy living.”

For information about young people and vaping, visit:

www.ashscotland.org.uk/young-people-vaping.

Expectant mothers invited to access charity’s new Smoking and Vaping During Pregnancy resources

ASH Scotland is encouraging expectant mothers in Edinburgh to access new free ‘Smoking and vaping during pregnancy’ resources developed by the health charity to increase awareness about the impact smoking and vaping has during pregnancy.

In Scotland, one in 12 women reported smoking at their first midwife appointment.

A new animated video and e-learning module produced by the charity aims to help expectant mothers to understand the links between cigarettes, e-cigarettes and pregnancy, know more about how tobacco and vaping affect the health and development of babies, and increase confidence to quit smoking.

Health damage associated with smoking is felt more intensely by pregnant women who are at higher risk of experiencing illness and complications. Evidence also shows that second-hand smoke poses serious health risks to infants, with exposure leading to an increased chance of developing asthma, respiratory infection and sudden infant death.

The World Health Organization states that foetal exposure to e-cigarette vapour can negatively impact development. Partners or family members who smoke or vape in the home should be encouraged to do so outside during pregnancy and after the birth.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Addiction is not a lifestyle choice – it is a public health concern and a social justice issue and expectant mothers in Edinburgh can give their baby the best start in life by quitting smoking.

“A mother quitting smoking prior to pregnancy reduces the potential of health risks affecting their baby to near non-smoker levels andASH Scotland wants to ensure that they are empowered to seek support to give up.

“We trust that our new ‘Smoking and vaping during pregnancy’ animated video and e-learning module will help inform expectant mothers across Edinburgh about the many benefits of giving up smoking.”

The new resources are available at ASH Scotland’s website here.

Single use vape ban comes into force

Powers to ban the sale and supply in UK

Single-use vapes will no longer be stocked or sold in Scotland under new legislation which comes into force today (Sunday 1 June).

The UK-wide ban has been introduced to prevent the environmental damage disposable vapes cause and to address health concerns associated with vaping as Scotland moves towards a tobacco-free generation by 2034.

An estimated 26 million disposable vapes were thrown away in Scotland in 2023. Of these, more than half were not recycled properly and around 10% were littered. The batteries used within disposable vapes are difficult to recycle, leak harmful waste and can cause fires in waste facilities.

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Scotland was the first nation in the UK to commit to taking action on single use vapes.

“It’s estimated that over half of disposable vapes are incorrectly disposed of each year in Scotland – creating a fire risk and littering our beautiful environment. They also contain nicotine which is highly addictive.

“This change to the law fulfils a Programme for Government commitment and will help tackle the threat that single-use vapes pose to our environment as well as to our public health.

“We have worked closely across the four nations to ensure a consistent approach to a ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes and will continue to work with regulators regarding enforcement once in force.”

Moves to raise the age of sale of tobacco products and regulate the displays, flavours and packaging of reusable vapes, are being taken forward separately through the 4-nations Tobacco and Vapes Bill.  

A ban on single-use vapes was recommended in the four nation consultation ‘Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping’ which ran in 2023.

Single-use vapes will be also be banned from the shelves of all shops in England from today ‘thanks to a Westminster government blitz on sale and supply‘.

The new crackdown makes it illegal to sell single-use vapes at corner shops and supermarkets, putting an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation’s streets.

The Westminster government’s announcement of its intention to ban the use of disposable vapes has already had real effects – with retailers and consumers shifting away from environmentally destructive single-use options.

New data from charity Action on Smoking and Health shows the number of vapers in Great Britain who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025, while the use of disposables by 18-24-year-old vapers fell from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. However, usage among young vapers remains too high and with the coming ban into force tomorrow it will continue to drive these figures down further.

As part of tough enforcement measures, any rogue traders breaking the rules will be hit with a fine of £200 in the first instance, and all products will be seized. Those who show a blatant disregard for the rules and reoffend face being slapped with an unlimited fine or jail time.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine. That ends today.

“The Government calls time on these nasty devices.”

Caroline Cerny, Deputy Chief Executive, Action on Smoking and Health said: “It’s promising to see that many people switched away from disposable vapes to re-usable products well ahead of the ban. This is particularly marked among young people, who were more likely to use disposable products due to their attractiveness, affordability, and heavy marketing.

“This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking. It will be up to manufacturers and retailers to ensure customers are informed and able to reuse and recycle their products securing a real change in consumer behaviour and a reduction in environmental waste.

“If behaviour does not change then further regulations will be possible following the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.”

The Government has worked closely with retailers to ensure they are ready for the ban coming into force. This includes producing clear guidance on the devices they cannot sell or supply, as well as how to deplete their stock before 1 June.

Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Convenience retailers have been preparing for the disposables ban for several months, adapting their ranges and training colleagues on the products that they can sell.

“We have been working with Trading Standards officers across the country to ensure they know what to look for once the ban comes into force, and support robust enforcement activity to take illegal vapes off the streets.”

Libby Peake, senior fellow and head of resources at Green Alliance, said: “Single use vapes should never have been allowed on the market. They’ve been a blight on our countryside, wasted resources needed for important uses like EV batteries and caused scores of fires at waste sites. And they’ve done all this while having a lasting impact on the health of young people, creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.

“The government should rightly be proud of taking this vital step to get rid of these polluting products and encourage people who want to quit smoking to opt for reusable and refillable options instead.”

Justin Greenaway, Commercial Manager at SWEEEP Kuusakoski, said: “We hope this ban will succeed in reducing the amount of vapes being discarded. Every vape has potential to start a fire if incorrectly disposed of.

“Logically vape unit waste will reduce as single use stops and multi-use must start but it does rely on consumers changing from a disposable mindset to refilling.”

Unrefillable and unable to be recharged, single-use vapes have been typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled, contributing to the flood of litter blighting the country.

Even when they are recycled, the process is notoriously arduous, slow and costly, with waste industry workers required to take them apart by hand. Their batteries also present a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment.

With the looming ban already encouraging users to seek alternatives, making the sale of single-use vapes illegal will now prevent these toxic products from littering the country’s streets.

The ban complements the Government’s world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will further tackle youth vaping and safeguard children’s health.

Youth Vaping Awareness Campaign Hits The Scottish Parliament

VPZ, the UK’s leading vape retailer, took to the streets surrounding Holyrood yesterday in a youth vaping awareness campaign to highlight concerns around super-size disposable vapes in the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

A specially designed trailer was outside the Scottish Parliament to shed light on the alarming rise of illicit ‘Big Puff’ vapes and its impact on youth vaping.

The trailer featured two striking 1-tonne containers, one filled with legal 2ml vapes (35000 units) and the other packed with illicit, super-size disposable vapes (9000 units), showcasing the stark visual representation of the challenges the industry and policymakers could face if appropriate measures are not taken.

So-called ‘Big Puff’ vapes exploit a loophole in the vaping law that allows the sale of devices with greater liquid capacity than the legislated 2 ml.

By utilising an external plug-in tank of 10 ml, these vaping units effectively become a 12 ml product, which is 6 times more than the allowed vaping liquid in a disposable device. New devices are being approved by the MHRA weekly, some with more capacity than 12ml.

Despite being considered rechargeable, the super-size vape products are made with a low-quality battery, and an unchangeable coil which effectively makes them single use.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1900196678507856190

Greig Fowler, Director of VPZ – The Vaping Specialist, said: “We hope that our campaign will serve as a wake-up call to policymakers and the public, as it’s crucial that MPs act now to address the dangers of these super-sized disposables before the UK finds itself in the midst of another youth and environmental crisis.

“VPZ is taking a stand against the dangers posed by the unregulated vaping products that threaten to undermine the forthcoming disposable ban in June. Our mission is to highlight the urgent need for action and collaboration to tackle these arising issues to the public.

“Dr Caroline Johnson outlined amendment NC9 which would bring this area into check, however, that was discussed and rejected following a vote. The problem needs addressed now and not in 12-18 months’ time when the Bill is passed.

“If we fail to respond decisively now, we risk further harm to young people, an environmental disaster, and undermining vaping’s role as a smoking cessation tool, which has helped millions to quit smoking.

“We must work together to strike the right balance, protecting smokers and ex-smokers while preventing further damage to public health and the environment.”

VPZ strongly supports most of the Tobacco & Vapes Bill measures to tackle youth access, including restriction of naming, packaging, and marketing.

However, it believes that there should be a balanced regulatory approach to protect adult smokers looking to quit while effectively cracking down on illicit and unregulated products in order for the UK to reach its 2030 Smoke-Free goals.

VPZ has previously warned adult vapers that the UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill could restrict some the favourite flavours that helped them quit smoking, potentially affecting around 3 million vapers and ex-smokers if passed.

VPZ has over 185 stores in the UK and has helped over 1 million smokers quit since it was established in 2012.

Cancer death rates 80% higher in the most deprived areas of Scotland

ACTION ON SMOKING URGENTLY NEEDED

Cancer death rates are around 80% higher for people living in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to the least deprived, a new report from Cancer Research UK reveals.

The report, titled Cancer in the UK 2025: Socioeconomic Deprivation, found that there are around 4,300 extra cancer deaths in Scotland each year linked to socioeconomic inequality. This equates to 12 additional deaths each day – around a quarter of all deaths from cancer.

Almost half of these additional deaths are caused by lung cancer, where the death rate for the most deprived areas is almost three and a half times that of the least deprived areas of Scotland.  

More than a tenth of all cancer diagnoses in Scotland are linked to deprivation. Many of these cases are caused by preventable risk factors such as smoking.   

Smoking is the biggest cause of cancer in Scotland, and rates in the most deprived parts of the country are more than four times those in the least deprived. 

cancer_in_the_uk_2025_socioeconomic_deprivationDownload

In publishing the report, Cancer Research UK is calling for urgent action to tackle these stark inequalities. 

One vital opportunity to do so is the upcoming vote in Scotland for new legislation which will see an increase in the age of sale of tobacco. 

If MSPs vote for the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, it would become illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born after 1st January 2009.  

This vote will pave the way for the Bill to become law in Scotland, as well as the rest of the UK. 

Dr Sorcha Hume, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Scotland, said: “Where you live shouldn’t increase your risk of dying from this devastating disease. These figures are shocking and unacceptable and crucially many of these cancer deaths are avoidable. 

“With almost half of the additional deaths being caused by lung cancer, it’s clear that action on smoking is needed urgently. 

“Smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, a disease that is often diagnosed late when treatment options are more limited. 

“One of the ways we can prevent lung cancer is to deter people from ever taking up smoking in the first place. 

“If MSPs vote in support of the age of sale legislation in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, it could be one of the most impactful public health interventions in living memory, helping people to live longer, better lives, no matter where they live in Scotland.” 

Introducing a lung cancer screening programme in Scotland would also help address these inequalities. 

The UK National Screening Committee has recommended that all UK nations move towards implementing a national lung cancer screening programme to target those considered to be of high risk of developing lung cancer – people aged between 55 and 74 who either smoke or used to smoke.  

A targeted lung screening programme is being introduced in England, but no such commitment has been made by the Scottish Government. 

If lung screening were to be introduced, around 400 extra cases each year in Scotland could be diagnosed at an early stage (stages 1 and 2) rather than a late stage (stages 3 and 4).

Dr Hume added: “Lung screening matters because it means more people can be diagnosed at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful. 

“Research has consistently shown that lung screening is effective at reducing deaths from cancer so it’s essential a Scotland-wide programme is introduced here as soon as possible.” 

NHS Lothian: Quit Your Way

Your local community pharmacy provides a free stop smoking service.

You can drop in when it suits you to chat to your local pharmacy team. They will explain the nicotine replacement products available to help you quit smoking and advise on the pros and cons of each to help you decide which option is the best for you.

Find your local pharmacy ⬇

www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory/pharmacies

Edinburgh’s Youth Groups urged to join ASH Scotland’s new Youth Conversation Hub

ASH Scotland is encouraging youth groups in Edinburgh to join its new Youth Conversations Hub where learning and resources on smoking and vaping are being shared to enable young people to make confident, informed decisions to protect their long-term health.

The charity will be hosting a series of in-person and online events via the hub in upcoming months to give people working or volunteering for youth organisations opportunities to connect and further their understanding of how health harming tobacco and related products such as e-cigarettes affect young people.

The hub is also providing a space for young people to share their views and experiences of smoking and vaping through its youth survey which is running until Friday 29 November.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive for ASH Scotland, said: “We are delighted to launch our new Youth Conversations Hub which can equip youth group organisers and volunteers in Edinburghand across Scotland to share and obtain ideas about starting conversations with young people, to increase their knowledge about smoking and vaping so that they can make informed choices to protect their physical and mental health.

“We hope that, by signing up to the hub, youth organisations can support local young people to become more aware of the tobacco and e-cigarette industries’ marketing tactics targeting children, and will inspire youngsters to exercise their rights to live healthy lives by rejecting smoking or vaping.

“ASH Scotland believes that is vitally important that young people’s views are heard, so we are running a survey through youth organisations which join the hub so that youngsters themselves can directly drive the action that is needed to ensure Scotland becomes a tobacco-free generation by the target of 2034.”  

To join ASH Scotland’s Youth Conversations Hub, visit www.ashscotland.org.uk/hub

Charity urges Secondary Schools to use new resource to inspire pupils’ confidence to live tobacco-free lives

ASH Scotland is encouraging secondary school teachers in Edinburgh to use a new resource pack as part of cross-curricular learning to inspire young people to make confident, informed decisions to protect their long-term health by not taking up smoking or vaping.

The Tobacco-free Schools pack, which features 28 engaging activities that can be used in group lessons, is being launched by the charity at a time when the major public health issues of youth smoking and, increasingly, vaping are causing great concern for teachers and other school staff working with children.

The pack provides up-to-date facts and statistics covering a range of topics such as ‘Understanding addiction’, ‘Smoking and mental health’, ‘Are e-cigarettes safe?’, ‘Being confidently nicotine-free’ and ‘Cigarette butts and e-cigarette waste’ to support the delivery of personal and social education classes or for classwork across various subjects.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive for ASH Scotland, said: “With concerned teachers across Scotland regularly contacting us for information and advice about tobacco and vapes, it is important that those working with young people in Edinburgh can access robust, evidence-based tailored resources to engage and empower youngsters to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

“We are pleased to launch our new Tobacco-free Schools resource pack which is specially designed to be an effective learning aid to enable teachers to facilitate classwork to help equip pupils to increase their knowledge about the risks associated with both smoking and vaping.

“The pack’s interactive resources offer opportunities for teachers to promote a smoke and vape-free culture on school campuses through building the confidence of students to prevent peer pressure from steering them in a harmful direction and, instead, make positive choices to protect their physical and mental health by not smoking or vaping.”

To download the pack, visit www.ashscotland.org.uk/schoolspack