Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 26 March 2024
26 Mar 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Smoking and Vaping
I declare an interest as a practising national health service general practitioner. I also declare that I have never smoked cigarettes or vaped.
It is important that the public are clear on where we stand in deliberating policy on addictive substances. The number of children who use vapes has tripled in the past three years, and the bulk of that increase has been driven by disposables. The evidence is clear that vapes should not be used by or targeted at children due to the risks and unknown harms involved.
We know that children as young as eight are addicted to nicotine in vapes. They crave for their next vape and are distracted. They cannot concentrate or do their school work until they satisfy their cravings. Children who need that extra hit, the higher strength, a particular flavour or a particular colour are going to get their hands on a vape, even if that means shoplifting.
It is now thought that vapes are not that harmless. A new University College London study has found that vaping causes changes to DNA in mouth cells in a way that is similar to how lung cancer appears.
We support smokers changing to vapes and a smoke-free generation. We need a modern, efficient and local NHS that prioritises prevention. Will the minister back our calls to bring vaping legislation in line with tobacco legislation and make it illegal to vape indoors? What concrete action will the minister take to ensure that our children do not vape?
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item if business is a statement by Jenni Minto on working towards a tobacco-free Scotland by 2034 and tackling youth vaping. 14:53
The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health (Jenni Minto)
SNP
In Scotland, more than 8,000 lives a year are cut short by diseases that are caused by smoking. Large parts of the harm that is caused by cancers, cardiovasc...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The minister will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move to th...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I declare an interest as a practising national health service general practitioner. I also declare that I have never smoked cigarettes or vaped. It is impor...
Jenni Minto
SNP
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will provide the Government with new powers to introduce full restrictions to reduce the appeal and availability of all vapes and ...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the minister for advance sight of her statement. Scottish Labour, as the party that led the way with the introduction of the smoking ban, will fully ...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I remember clearly when the ban on smoking in enclosed places came into force. The strength of that legislation was that it was the result of cross-party agr...
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, in that I hold a bank-nurse contract with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. We know that smo...
Jenni Minto
SNP
Claire Haughey is absolutely right. Despite the significant reduction since 2003, it is concerning the adults who live in the most deprived areas are still m...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
In 2022, around 12 per cent of women smoked during pregnancy. The minister mentioned that her own grandparent was advised to stop smoking. We know that smoki...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I agree with Tess White that it is important to get pregnant women to stop smoking. We are very clear in our best start guidelines and in other literature on...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
As co-convener of the cross-party group on lung health, I recently heard from a mother about how her school-aged daughter has experienced anxiety, agitation,...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I am sorry to hear about the effects that vaping has had on that young person; I have heard of similar situations in my constituency. Children and young peop...
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank climate activist Laura Young and others, including the Daily Record, for their successful campaign to ban disposable vapes. However, as we know, refi...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I recognise the concerns that Colin Smyth has raised. The powers in the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill will allow regulations to be introduced on the flavours and...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
Although vaping can be a useful tool for those who are looking to quit smoking, the number of young people who are starting to vape is of concern, as the min...
Jenni Minto
SNP
Our most recent behaviour in Scottish schools research, which was published last November, identified that vaping is an increasing problem in our schools. We...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I inform members that my two sons attend the Royal high school in my constituency. We have a serious problem when it comes to youth vaping in Scotland. As w...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I reflect on the positivity that I felt when I saw this morning’s BBC Scotland news page, which highlighted the decisions that the Royal high school of Edinb...
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
We know that disposable vapes pose environmental risks, both as an eyesore through littering and as a harm through fires in waste facilities. How can local a...
Jenni Minto
SNP
When I visited Sunnyside primary school in Alloa earlier this year, the children made the point that their spaces, including their play parks, are being over...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
I have been campaigning on this issue alongside parents, young people, clinicians, health charities and the Daily Record. They are all really pleased with th...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I reflect on the market research that I read about secret shoppers of a young age going out to buy cigarettes. As they were so used to the products being beh...
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
In her statement, the minister talked about a tobacco and vaping framework and about improving the existing register of tobacco and nicotine vapour product r...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I gently point out to Alexander Stewart that it is helpful and important to have the register of tobacco and nicotine vapour product retailers, because that ...
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
SNP
We know that, traditionally, it has proven difficult to engage with adolescents and young adults when it comes to health-related matters. We now have increas...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I have already talked about the “Take hold” marketing campaign, which was on various social media platforms, as well as—for us oldies—radio. The voice of you...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome the recognition that vaping is a significant health issue in Scotland, the UK and further afield. I put it on record that, if I had my way, I would...
Jenni Minto
SNP
To reflect again on my visit to Sunnyside primary school in Alloa, the children told me that, when doing creative writing, if they write for a while and then...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
The minister mentioned nicotine pouches in her statement. They are currently not regulated as tobacco products, because they do not contain tobacco, and they...