Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 23 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had any discussions in regard to homeless people in Scotland being provided with e-cigarette starter packs for a research project led by London South Bank University and UCL, and what its view is of this project.
There have been no discussions with the Scottish Government in regard to homeless people in Scotland being provided with e-cigarette starter packs for a research project led by London South Bank University and UCL.
We maintain an open, yet precautionary, approach to the use of electronic cigarettes and we are aware that many smokers use e-cigarettes to reduce their tobacco intake or to quit altogether. The consensus in Scotland based on current evidence, is e-cigarettes are definitely less harmful than smoking tobacco. However, we recognise that more research is needed to understand the risks and the benefits of e-cigarettes in the long-term.
A joint Scottish statement encourages current smokers to switch to e-cigarettes, health professionals not to dissuade individuals from using them and to discourage children and non-smokers from trying e-cigarettes.
In the Ending Homelessness Together action plan, we have committed to closer working between homelessness and health services, but this is a general commitment rather than specific to tobacco.