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Scottish government confirms disposable vape ban in 2025

Scottish government confirms disposable vape ban in 2025
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The Scottish government has published its response to the consultation on details surrounding the introduction of a ban on disposable vaping products, set to come into force in April 2025.

The response provides additional clarity on their views on the definition of a disposable vape, as well as more information about the way that the rules will be enforced. The Scottish government acknowledges that enforcement was the biggest concern raised by those who submitted evidence to the consultation.


The vaping products that are set to be banned in April 2025 must meet to the following criteria:

  • Not refillable by an individual user in the normal course of their use
  • Not rechargeable
  • Not refillable and not rechargeable
  • Not able to be fitted with a replacement heating coil which is separately available and replaceable by an individual user in the normal course of their use

On enforcement, the consultation response sets out additional powers to allow Trading Standards officers to identify rogue sellers, enter premises and seize illegitimate products. Those who commit an offence could be subject to receive a level five fine, which is equivalent to between £5,000 and £10,000.

This is in contrast to the regulations in England, which stipulate a range of notices which could be imposed on a business and an initial £200 fixed penalty notice for an offence, reduced to £100 if paid within 28 days.

Commenting, James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: “We support the Scottish government’s commitment to making enforcement as straightforward and effective as possible, but we have raised concerns a number of times that the overall £30m enforcement budget is being stretched extremely thin to cover not just Trading Standards, but also HMRC and Border Force activity across the UK.

“Research and modelling from Trading Standards experts demonstrates a need for a huge increase in enforcement funding for this policy to be effective, which we will continue to call for to ensure that the illicit trade doesn’t get an unintended boost from a disposable vapes ban.”

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Fed National President Mo Razzaq

Indies: It’s criminal police and government turn blind eye to shoplifting

Independent retailers are demanding tougher police action, more bobbies on the beat and harsher punishments as shoplifting levels reach an all-time high, a new survey reveals.

A whopping ninety-one per cent of respondents to a survey conducted by the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) called for more police patrols on streets, while a similar number - 90 per cent - said that shoplifters should be handed harsher sentences.

Seven out of 10 respondents (72 per cent) said their stores had experienced shoplifting, break ins and damage to property, while they and their staff had been physically or verbally threatened.

Just under half of respondents (47 per cent) said they and their employees had been threatened or had suffered abuse and violence when asking for proof of age ahead of selling an age-restricted product.

Forty-four per cent reported that they and their staff had faced abuse or violence because they had refused to make a proxy sale – selling an age restricted product to a customer buying for a minor.

The results of the Fed’s survey came as new figures from the Office of National Statistics revealed that shoplifting was at a record high, with almost half a million offences recorded last year.

According to the ONS, 469,788 offences were logged by forces in the year to June 2024 – a 29 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

The ONS added that this figure was the highest since records began – in March 2003.

“Inadequate responses from the police and a slap on the wrist for offenders means that shoplifting is soaring, and offenders are becoming more aggressive and brazen,” said Fed National President Mo Razzaq.

“From the responses we received, it is clear that real action is needed by police, by courts and by the government to stem the overwhelming tide of crime against retailers and their staff. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.

“Fed members are also sending a clear message that one of the catalysts for verbal and physical abuse in stores is asking for proof of age before selling an age restricted product. If the government presses ahead with its plans to phase out smoking and vaping through a progressive ban to gradually end the sale of tobacco products across the country, independent retailers will be subject to even greater levels of violence, abuse and theft.”

Calling for action from the government and not just words, Mr Razzaq continued: “Without effective deterrent, criminals and opportunistic members of the public will continue to commit crimes.”

According to Ministry of Justice statistics, during the year to March 2024, 431 fines were handed out for retail theft under £100, while Home Office statistics for the same period show that 2,252 cautions were accepted for shoplifting.

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