Retailers Warned to Stay On Right Side Of Law
Following the implementation of the disposable vapes ban, Scottish retailers have been warned by the Scottish Grocers’ Federation to stay on right side of law
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by Dave Cross
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Following the implementation of the disposable vapes ban, applying to England, Wales and Scotland, Scottish retailers have been warned by the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) to stay on right side of law. With more than 5,000 convenience stores as members, the SGF is issuing advice to ensure they stay on the right side of the law.
Single-use vapes - including those which are non-refillable and non-rechargeable – were banned as of this Sunday, June 1, with the Scottish Government bringing in the new law in-line with the rest of the United Kingdom.
The SGF, the convenience store trade body for Scotland, has issued an updated retailers’ guide on regulations for vaping and tobacco compliance, as well as a poster - which it is encouraging members to display in their stores.
Pete Cheema, SGF’s Chief Executive, said: “Our members are committed to responsible local retailing and operating within the law. It’s important that we do all we can to help ensure they are fully prepared for this significant change, so that staff and customers are all properly educated about what the new law entails.
“There is no transitional period in play here. From June 1, it will be an offence for a person or business to supply or offer to supply single-use vapes - or have them in their possession for supply.
“Any leftover stock come that date must be discontinued and stored separately from items for sale, clearly marked as ‘not for sale’.
“We are recommending that any of our members with concerns about complying with the ban contact their local trading standards team to ensure they are operating within the law.”
SGF says it is now working with Police Scotland and trading standards to help ensure its members comply with the ban - as well as to clampdown on any illicit trade.
The SGF says that those found to have broken the law could face a fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.
The new law as applied to Scotland - The Environmental Protection (Single-Use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 - is the first of two major legal changes around the use and sale of vaping products.
Further regulations will be introduced through the UK Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently moving through the House of Lords. The SGF says that this is expected to be introduced in Scotland through secondary legislation in the Scottish Parliament.
The SGF continues to oppose restrictions on flavour in vaping products, which it claims is “a proven factor in helping people switch from cigarettes to less harmful vapes.”
Its members are being strongly encouraged to follow Challenge 25 policies to avoid the risk of illegal sales.
References:
- The Scottish Grocers’ Federation - https://www.sgfscot.co.uk/
- SGF’s poster for in-store display - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eabdfbe067c0b62fc7b58b7/t/67f901b0e9682d486495fc2a/1744372144828/Vape+Ban+poster.pdf
Photo Credit:
Photo by B K on Unsplash, resized and cropped
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
