AN EAST Ayrshire councillor is pushing for the authority to join the growing list of those demanding an end to the sale of single-use vapes.

More than half of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have formally called on a ban, including neighbouring North Ayrshire.

Labour councillor John McGhee will table a motion at the final full council meeting before recess this week, asking that ‘East Ayrshire supports the ban of single use disposable vapes’.

Disposable vapes are seen as both a public health issue and an environmental one, with a review into the environmental impact of single use vapes being commissioned by the Scottish Government.

Health issues, particularly from unregulated illegal vapes, has been highlighted in recent months.

The disposable smoking devices have also been linked to littering, plastic waste and fire risk.

East Ayrshire's trading standards team have been at the forefront of the fight to tackle the problem and have supported the call for a ban.

In a briefing circulated alongside Councillor McGhee’s motion, trading standards officials say they have "seen a surge in the availability of illegal tobacco and nicotine vapour products from retail outlets in East Ayrshire in the last two years and a sharp rise in the number of complaints regarding underage sales".

A trading standards spokesperson said: “Trading standards services in Scotland entered into an agreement with the Scottish Government to increase enforcement activity in relation to cigarettes and vapes, with a view to reducing the availability of tobacco products to young people.

“The long-term aim being to prevent young people from taking up smoking and nicotine vaping.

“Research conducted by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute
(CTSI) revealed that illicit vapes are the products trading standards professionals are most concerned about on the UK’s high streets.

“Trading standards has recently noted a large increase in the number of shops selling vaping products, particularly disposable vapes and also an increase in the amount of illicit products being sold.

“The sale of nicotine vaping products is an area treated with high priority.

“The rapid expansion of the market for disposable nicotine devices is a concern and presents a real risk to the environment and to health.

“This is a particular problem for the health of our young people, with many of them who have never smoked now taking up vaping.

“The array of colours and flavours on display seem to be particularly appealing to children.”

In the last year, East Ayrshire trading standards officials have seized almost 500 non-compliant single use vapes and had thousands more removed from sale for various non-compliances - including tank capacity and nicotine strength well in excess of permitted levels.

The spokesperson added: “Many Scottish local authorities have now backed a proposed ban on the sale of disposable vapes. East Ayrshire Council's trading standards service would strongly support such a ban.

The Scottish Government’s circular economy minister, Lorna Slater, 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.”