The sale of e-cigarettes must be banned in shops and retailers. Instead they must be regulated and distributed for medicinal purposes only.
That's the recommendation of a "pioneering" Youth Commission set up by the Scottish Government.
Other proposals include:
– A 50m smoking ban around public places including schools and hospitals
– A social enterprise should be established, run for and by young people, with the purpose of designing and delivering age appropriate smoking prevention events and support materials
– A call on the Scottish Government to support the proposed Member’s Bill around a ban on smoking in cars
– An increase in the age limit for those wishing to purchase tobacco products to 21 years old
– In 2031, a ban introduced on selling tobacco to anyone born after 2013
– A ban on the sale of all e-cigarettes in shops and retailers and must be regulated and distributed for medicinal purposes only, with a ban on all commercial sale
Dig a little deeper and you'll find the Youth Commission consists of 17 students chosen God knows how to "explore young peoples’ perspectives on how a smoke free generation might be achieved by 2034".
The Scotsman has a report here: Call to ban e-cigarette sales near hospitals.
It includes some comments from me:
“The Youth Commission’s recommendations demonstrate a level of ignorance and intolerance that doesn’t bode well for future generations.
“It’s fine to be concerned about the health risks of tobacco and educate people accordingly, but these proposals go way beyond that. They represent a serious attack on personal choice and individual liberty.
“There is no evidence that e-cigarettes are harmful or provide a gateway to tobacco. Banning their sale to adults for recreational use would deter millions of smokers from switching to an alternative nicotine delivery system.
“Other ideas are either unenforceable or would require a ridiculous amount of legislation and a small army of tobacco control officers to police people’s behaviour.
“From being a nanny state Scotland would become a bully state. What next? Alcohol, junk food, sugary drinks?”
PS. The other story I responded to yesterday hasn't appeared yet. I'll keep you posted.