ASH Scotland calls for Government to introduce restrictions on all vapes and nicotine pouches as UK-wide consultation launches
10 July 2026
ASH Scotland is welcoming the launch of a UK-wide public consultation today (Friday 10 July 2026) which is seeking views on proposals aimed at restricting the appearance of tobacco, vaping and nicotine products and how they are packaged and displayed in shops to make them less enticing to children and young people.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Young people are being enticed to use brightly coloured, flavoured, addictive, health-harming vapes, which help the tobacco and nicotine industry to generate huge profits, at a cost to the health of our children.
“We welcome this consultation which gives public health stakeholders the opportunity to support and shape strong measures that can begin eradicating the damage inflicted on young people by profit-centred multi-national tobacco and nicotine corporations.
“ASH Scotland wants Government to move quickly to introduce restrictions ensuring that all vapes and nicotine pouches are in plain packaging and hidden from view in shops, so that they can no longer be displayed in windows and openly promoted at points-of-sale surrounded by confectionery.
“Most vapes contain high levels of nicotine, which is extremely addictive, as well as toxic chemicals that have not been safety tested for inhalation and can damage lung health. Regulatory actions are essential to protect children from harms caused by vaping, following mounting evidence of adverse health impacts, and studies consistently showing that young people who use vapes are up to three times at greater risk of starting to smoke tobacco.
“Added sweet and fruit flavours as well as imagery, colours and branding attractive to children on all addictive vapes, nicotine pouches and their packaging must be banned as a matter of urgency to protect the health of this and future generations.”
The consultation will run from 10 July 2026 for 12 weeks, closing at .