Scots “vape crusader” Laura Young has hailed an SNP government review into banning disposable e-cigs.
The 26-year-old activist said the move was a “great development” - which came just a day after the Record launched a new campaign to clamp down on the growing litter menace of single-use vapes.
Urged by Green MSP Gillian Mackay to back the campaign on Thursday, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf revealed in parliament the study into one-use vapes which he said would “include consideration” of a ban.
Ministers published further details of the review yesterday morning, which will be led by quango Zero Waste Scotland and examine the experiences of other countries in dealing with the gadgets.
Ms Young - whose campaigning to raise awareness of the pollution blight caused by throwaway e-cigs has seen her dubbed the “vape crusader” - said the inquiry was “exciting”.
She told the Record: "It's a great development. Coming from Zero Waste Scotland, I've got a lot of confidence because they are about the circular economy, they are about reducing as much waste as possible.
"And I think they seem to understand that recycling is not the answer to a lot of our problems.
"Actually, it's about finding the most waste-free option - and for this example here, that's reusable, rechargeable vapes.
"I think it's really exciting development - I hope it's done with urgency and I hope it will be thorough in the variety of different environmental issues involved.
"One part of it is litter, one part of it is waste fires, one part of it is batteries, one part of it is single-use plastics - and one part of it is the single-use culture."
Launching our campaign to scrap disposable vapes, we told earlier this week how 1.3million devices are chucked away every single week in the UK - the equivalent of two a second.
As well as the plastic and chemicals inside posing a risk to wildlife and the environment, they contain precious lithium batteries - vital in the shift to Net Zero, such as through powering our electric cars.
And even when thrown in the bin, the batteries can spark dangerous fires if mixed in with general landfill.
In October, the Irish Government launched a consultation on banning "wasteful" disposable vape products, citing concerns over littering.
In Scotland, most single-use plastics were banned last year - but vapes were unaffected, and disposable brands have soared 14-fold in popularity since 2021 with users typically young people
The Scottish Government has said it will look at a ban of single-use vapes in its review - although added it would consider “other approaches”.
Those could include ”increasing access to responsible disposal options, improved product design or public communications campaigns”, officials said.
But speaking to the Record, Ms Young warned ministers: “It’s important to keep the pressure on that it is definitely a ban that needs to happen - not other measures that wouldn’t bring as much success.”
It comes as the Scottish Government is also working on an updated Tobacco Action Plan which is expected to report in the autumn and will consider a “range of interventions” to reduce smoking and vaping among youngsters.
Lorna Slater, Greens co-leader and Scotland’s Circular Economy Minister, said: “Not only are single-use vapes bad for public health, they are also bad for the environment.
“From litter on our streets, to the risk of fires in waste facilities, there are issues which need to be addressed urgently.
“We will consider the evidence and expert advice and come forward with policy options, which could include a potential ban on single-use vapes.
“In the meantime, we would urge everyone who uses these products to make sure they are disposed of properly.”
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Any form of littering is an unacceptable, anti-social behaviour that is damaging to the environment and the economy.
“Single-use items, like disposable vapes, are becoming an all-too-common eyesore in areas where we live, work, and socialise, and can last in our environment for years and years.
“Tackling our throwaway culture is a priority here at Zero Waste Scotland and we are happy to lead on this important review.”
Charities and green groups also welcomed details of the review.
Catherine Gemmell, Scotland Conservation Officer for the Marine Conservation Society, said: “We’re delighted to hear that the Scottish Government is planning a review into a potential ban on disposable vapes after the matter was raised by Gillian Mackay MSP in Holyrood.
“Thanks to the brilliant work of Laura Young, known as the ‘vape crusader’, our concerns of the impact of disposable vapes on our ocean are being heard.
“To stop single-use items polluting Scotland's seas we need to move towards a circular economy where products are repaired, refilled, recharged and reused.”
Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: “Cigarette litter in general makes up the biggest chunk of litter we record across Scotland, and we know that single-use vapes are increasing as a new, unnecessary litter type.
“We are thrilled to hear that Circular Economy Minister, Lorna Slater, has announced a review into their environmental impact.
And Sheila Duffy, boss of anti-smoking charity ASH Scotland, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government taking rapid action to explore and address the environmental harms of single-use vaping products.
“The easy availability of disposable e-cigarettes, which are being marketed with bright colours and sweet flavours, is driving a huge rise in children experimenting.
“Nicotine is highly addictive and many disposable vapes include toxic chemicals that have not been safety-tested for inhalation.”
But the UK Vaping Industry Association has said a ban is the wrong option and that there needs instead to be “a recycling solution that is fit for purpose”.
John Dunne, Director General, said: “We are working hard as an industry to find a waste management solution that minimises the impact of vapes on the environment, particularly when it comes to single-use disposables, so they are seen for what they do best.
“Helping adult smokers kick their habits and save the lives of millions as well as millions of pounds for the health service.”
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