Vapes and vaping
Vapes (sometimes called e-cigarettes) can help adults to stop smoking. Children, young people, and adults who do not smoke should never vape.
Vaping and young people
We are concerned about young people vaping, particularly since we do not yet know the long-term health effects.
Vapes contain nicotine which is addictive, and young people are especially vulnerable to these risks.
In Scotland, it’s illegal for shops to sell vapes to anyone under 18. It’s also illegal to buy vapes for someone under 18.
Our tobacco and vaping framework (2023) sets out our aim for Scotland to be tobacco-free by 2034. A key part of this is our work with the other UK governments to tackle youth vaping through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
If approved, the legislation will:
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ban vape advertising, branding and promotions aimed at children and young people
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allow controls over the flavour of vapes, as well as the way they are packaged and displayed in shops
Ban on single-use vapes from 1 June 2025
From 1 June 2025, it will be illegal for any business in the UK to sell or supply single-use (disposable) vapes.
The ban aims to reduce waste and protect our environment.
Guidance for businesses on the single-use vapes ban has been published on the gov.uk website.
Guidance for councils - who will enforce the single-use vapes ban in Scotland - has also been published.
Selling vapes
Any businesses selling vapes and vaping products in Scotland must be registered on the Scottish Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Product Register.
Research on vaping
We are monitoring evidence on the long-term effects of vaping, and have published evidence briefings including:
- vaping – health harms: evidence briefing (Jan 2024)
- vaping – youth perceptions and attitudes: evidence briefing (April 2024)
- vaping – effectiveness as a cessation tool: evidence briefing (Jan 2024)
Vaping information for young people and parents
Young people and parents can get information about the harms and risks of vaping and nicotine addiction at the NHS Inform website.