According to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on November 14th, Scotland is facing a significant rise in teenage e-cigarette usage.
According to a survey, it has been found that currently 10% of 13-year-olds and 25% of 15-year-olds are using e-cigarettes. These figures have increased from the year 2015, and this trend is primarily being driven by direct marketing of products targeting children.
In September, the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, announced that his government would hold discussions regarding a ban on disposable e-cigarettes. The UK Vaping Industry Association stated that e-cigarettes should be praised for helping people quit smoking, and warned that a ban would create a black market.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Scotland, states that there is “conclusive evidence” suggesting that e-cigarette aerosol “contains particulate matter associated with lung inflammation, DNA damage, and subsequent risks”.
She stated that the acceptance rate among young people in Scotland has been high since the autumn of 2021.
