Question reference: S6W-24883
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 26 January 2024
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 January 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action that it will take following the closure of the four nations consultation, Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping.
Answer
Our 2023 Tobacco and Vaping Framework includes action to raise the age limit for the sale of tobacco, and review what action is needed to limit the appeal of vapes to children, young people and non-smokers. Key to this work were the proposals consulted on in the four nations “Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping” consultation.
I am pleased to announce that today, the four-nation government response to this consultation has been published.
The response sets out our intention to regulate, through a UK-wide Bill, on raising the age of sale for tobacco year-on-year so that a child born in 2009 or younger can never legally be sold tobacco products. The Bill will also provide a number of powers to tackle youth vaping in Scotland, including restrictions on flavours; regulating point of sale displays; regulating product packaging and presentation.
We will continue to work with UK Government and other Devolved administrations to develop legislation, and will engage with Parliament as appropriate and necessary during this process.
I recognise the cross-party interest in these measures, so commit to a providing an opportunity for discussion with Parliament through a ministerial statement, the date of which will be confirmed as soon as possible.