Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 31 January 2023 [Draft]
31 Jan 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Youth Vaping
We need to consider all aspects of how to get to the crux of this problem, but we need to remember that it is a highly addictive product that is being marketed to appeal to young children during the course of their development. We need to take very stringent measures to tackle that particular risk.
It is not just a public health issue, but clearly we need to keep health at the forefront of everything we do. We need to work across Government to maximise opportunities for cross-cutting impact. That might be through action on illegal products, which obviously benefits the economy, addressing environmental concerns or improving education. By continuing to work together, learning from our recent experiences and building on our successes, I am confident that we can make lasting changes that will positively benefit the health and wellbeing of everyone in Scotland.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-07290, in the name of Siobhian Brown, on concern regarding youth vaping. The debate wi...
Siobhian Brown (Ayr) (SNP)
SNP
I thank everybody who has supported the motion and those who are taking part in the debate. I am really looking forward to all contributions. I lodged the m...
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to speak in this very important debate. I thank my friend and colleague Siobhian Brown for bringing it to the chamber and for her very informati...
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to be able to contribute, and I thank Siobhian Brown for bringing this important debate to the chamber. As Asthma + Lung UK Scotland’s parliamen...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
The member mentioned flavours that are approved for food but, just because something is approved for food does not mean that it is okay to go into people’s l...
Alexander Stewart
Con
I completely concur with that. As I said, they are not there for that specific use or to be ingested in that way; they are there for the food impact. I ment...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Siobhian Brown for securing the debate, which is on an issue of increasing urgency. According to the BBC Radio 4 programme “All Consuming”, the globa...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate the member for Ayr on securing this members’ business debate, which ensures that this topic is given the prominence that it deserves in this c...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, congratulate my colleague Siobhian Brown on securing debating time on this important matter. With sweet flavours, colourful packaging and low prices...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
I congratulate Siobhian Brown on securing time for this really important debate, and I thank all those who have been campaigning on the issue, particularly L...
Stephanie Callaghan (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Siobhian Brown for bringing the debate to the chamber and for all the work that she has been doing on the issue for quite some time. There have been...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Before I call the next speaker, I advise members that, due to the high number of members who wish to speak in the debate, I am minded to accept a motion with...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank Siobhian Brown for bringing the debate to the chamber. Given the length of the debate and the number of people who want to speak in it, it is clear t...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Siobhian Brown for an excellent speech. It is the speech that I wanted to hear, because I did not disagree with a single word of it or any of the exc...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate my colleague Siobhian Brown on securing the debate. I know that she is doing much work on youth vaping. She laid out perfectly the issues arou...
Brian Whittle
Con
I know that there has not been enough research into it, but is it not logical that inhaling foreign bodies into your lungs has to be harmful?
Emma Harper
SNP
There is just a one-word answer to that and that is yes. We should absolutely be doing research into and paying attention to substances that people are takin...
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you to Siobhian Brown for lodging her motion for debate, providing a timely opportunity to discuss the phenomenal growth in vaping that has left behind...
The Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport (Maree Todd)
SNP
I thank Siobhian Brown for lodging the motion and offer my thanks to all the members across the chamber who have taken part in discussing what we can all agr...
Brian Whittle
Con
Surely what we should be looking to do here is make it as difficult as possible for our youth to get hold of these products and to punish those who supply to...
Maree Todd
SNP
We are working very closely with Trading Standards Scotland to understand what key improvements could be made in Scotland to stamp out illegal sales. I also ...
Gillian Mackay
Green
I thank the minister for taking an intervention. She recognised the impact that the tobacco industry has. Will she join the calls that I have made to retaile...
Maree Todd
SNP
Yes, absolutely. We are considering all these things. We have started to take action. Last year we consulted on restrictions on the advertising and promotion...
Brian Whittle
Con
I thank the minister very much for indulging me again. Should we not be organising a marketing counter strategy that takes a pride in Scotland approach, in t...
Maree Todd
SNP
We need to consider all aspects of how to get to the crux of this problem, but we need to remember that it is a highly addictive product that is being market...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That concludes the debate. Meeting closed at 18:36.