Author: Sarah Groom

The Scottish Government have announced plans to ban single use vapes and raise the tobacco age of sale so that no one born on or after 1 January 2009 can ever legally be sold tobacco in Scotland. The Institute is pleased to see the Scottish Government’s announcement and welcomes this positive move.

Scottish Ministers have agreed to take forward the recommendations following a consultation on ‘Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping’ which ran across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland last year.

The report also recommends that powers are taken to restrict vape flavours, how vapes are displayed in stores, their packaging and product presentation, along with powers to regulate other nicotine products. In addition, it suggests measures which are already underway or in place in Scotland, including restrictions on non-nicotine vapes and powers for local authorities to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for breaches of age of sale legislation for tobacco products and vapes.

The Scottish Government has been clear that vapes should never be used by children or adult non-smokers, but they are one of a range of tools for adult smokers to quit smoking. It is therefore intended that refillable, reusable vapes will remain available, alongside other tools for smoking cessation, including nicotine patches and medication.

Legislating to ban single-use vapes fulfils a Programme for Government commitment to reduce vaping and take action to tackle their environmental impact of single-use vapes.

The majority of the measures will initially be taken forward via UK-wide legislation requiring an Legislative Consent Motion (LCM), apart from the disposables ban, which will be through legislation in the Scottish Parliament.

The ban on single-use vapes will be taken forward using powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which are devolved to Scottish Ministers. The powers in section 140 of the Act were transferred to Scottish Ministers under section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998 and can no longer be exercised by UK Ministers in relation to Scotland. We must therefore legislate separately in Scotland in order to enact a ban. This approach has been used in the past to ban other items such as microbeads, cotton buds and single use plastics.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said:

“Smoking damages lives and kills more than 8,000 people a year in Scotland and is burden on our NHS and social care services. Research also suggests that almost one in five adolescents have tried vapes.

“We want to do more to achieve our goal of being tobacco-free in Scotland by 2034 and after collaborating on the UK-wide consultation, we have worked closely across the four UK nations on next steps and now intend to act on taking forward its recommendations, either on a UK-wide basis or through legislation in the Scottish Parliament.

“I have worked closely with Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater on disposable vapes. These are a threat to both public health and the environment – from litter on our streets, to the risk of fires in waste facilities – that’s why we will act on our Programme for Government commitment and move to ban them.”

The RLSS (UK) have issued guidance on 25 January 2024 titled ‘Guidance for Automated Monitoring and Detection systems to provide an additional layer of safety and support lifeguard(s) to save lives’

The industry guidance has been prepared for and intended for consideration by UK Swimming Pool Operators of public lifeguarded swimming pools that have or are considering installing automated monitoring and detection system.

See link below.

Guidance from other organisations that support the leisure industry | Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK )

Message from REHIS President Lynn Crothers

Dear REHIS members

I am delighted to be taking up the role of President of the Institute this year and wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to our members for their continued support of the Institute.

I am looking forward to working closely with our Senior Vice President, Alan Morrison and our Junior Vice President, Lindsey Anne McNeil as well as the members of Council (old and new) on a very busy programme of work in the coming year. 

This work includes improving engagement with our members, training centres and stakeholders; Reviewing the Royal Charter and; promotion of the Environmental Health profession. Environmental Health as a career choice offers an opportunity to gain a professional qualification and develop skills and knowledge in a wide remit of Environmental Health-related disciplines which are highly regarded by a range of employers and organisations. Let’s all work together in promoting the profession!

I am also working with the REHIS Executive Team on this year’s Annual Forum which will be held in East Lothian – look out for further details on this soon. As well as the Forum, REHIS has a number of other events and training in development so please keep and eye on the website which has all the information.

Best wishes to you all for 2024 and hope I get the opportunity to catch up with you soon.

REHIS Annual Forum 

The Institute is delighted to advise that this year’s Annual Environmental Health Forum will be held as a Hybrid event from Queen Margaret University on Wednesday 24 April 2024. Further details will be featured on our website very soon. 

Professional Update Courses 

The Institute would like to extend gratitude to all involved in the development and delivery of Professional update courses and hope that we can rely on your support this year with ideas on content, recent interesting cases/events, and suggestions of speakers. 

Planning is now underway for the following online events which are scheduled as follows: 

• Pollution Update Course – 22 May 2024 
• Food Update Course – 5 June 2024 
• Health & Safety Update Course – 4 September 2024 
• Public Health & Housing Course – 27 November 2024

The Special Investigators Course which took place in December 2023, run by George Barnsley, proved to be popular. This highlighted a few training gaps, and we are looking to organise a similar event perhaps more tailored to more specific needs. Watch this space! 

Continuing Professional Development 

CPD submissions for calendar year 2023 require to be with the Institute by 31 January 2024. 

The Institute’s Scheme of CPD provides a way for Members of the Institute to evidence their ongoing professional development in an independently assessed way. For EHOs this also offers a means to achieve Chartered EHO status. We encourage all members to submit their CPD through the REHIS website, members only section. For information about the updated CPD scheme please CPD – REHIS 

Alternative Route to EHO and Alternative Pathway to FSO 

We continue to receive many applications for the Alternative Route to becoming an EHO and Alternative Pathway to becoming FSO in Scotland. These applications are welcomed, and it is hoped that we will see many applicants progressing through to the next stages and entering the profession. 

Professional Exams 

The Professional exams for both the REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health and the Higher Certificate in Food Practice are scheduled to take place during the week of 1 October 2024. Based on the positive feedback regarding the Carnegie Centre in Dunfermline it is planned to again hold the exams there. 

We were pleased to note the success of the candidates who sat their Professional exams in December 2023. Well done! Additionally, we would also like to thank all the trainers, assessors, examiners, and all those who provided their time, support and encouragement. 

Community Training 

The Institute is holding its first ever Presenters Update event for centres who are approved to deliver the REHIS Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders course (SCPLH). This event is online and is being held on 19 March 2024. For further information, contact the Director of Training.

Proposals to increase reuse and recycling and cut waste are being put forward as part of a consultation.

Reducing single-use, disposable items like cups, banning the destruction of unsold goods and promoting the reuse of construction materials are just some of the actions being suggested as part of the draft Circular Economy and Waste Route Map consultation.

Over the past 10 years, the total amount of waste going to landfill in Scotland has dropped by over a third, with the most recent official statistics showing that Scotland met its 2025 target to reduce all waste by 15 per cent.

Following an initial consultation in 2022, the new route map sets out a plan for new, national reuse and recycling targets along with priority actions needed between now and the end of the decade to help drive Scotland’s transition to a circular economy.

The actions complement provisions in the draft Circular Economy Bill which is currently at stage one in Parliament and include proposals for the creation of local recycling targets, reflecting the success of Wales which has one of the highest household recycling rates in the world.

Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “We have already made good progress across Scotland, significantly reducing the amount of waste we generate and landfill, but we need to go further if reusing and recycling goods is to become the default choice for households, businesses and the public sector.

“For people to do the right thing for the planet, it is crucial that everyone experiences a modern, easy to use waste service. This second consultation sets out our priority actions and the tools we will put in place to help everyone play their part in cutting waste and capitalising on the economic opportunities that a circular economy presents to businesses. I urge everyone to take part.”

The second consultation on the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map is available on the Scottish Government website and will run until March 15.

It takes on board the feedback from the initial consultation in 2022, including the ask to consult on the key priorities. The final Route Map is scheduled to be published later in 2024.

An environmental report has been published alongside the Route Map, covering findings on the likely environmental implications arising from the Route Map’s proposals

The proposed priorities in the Route Map are to:

• Reduce food waste from households and businesses.
• Significantly improve recycling from households and businesses.
• Embed circular construction practices – including the development of regional Scottish hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets
• Set new circular economy targets from 2025, which will run until at least 2030.
• Minimise the impact of disposal of waste that cannot be reused or recycled.
• Promote and support responsible production and consumption (including tackling consumption of single-use items and promoting reuse).
• Strengthen the data and evidence of the environmental impact of actions, sustainable procurement practices, and skills and training.

This Wednesday 24 January 2024 marks the first-ever Clean Air Night, where we will be shining a light on the uncomfortable truth about wood burning.
Up to now, it’s been easy to associate the glow of a fire or wood burner with comfort, but new evidence has discovered that wood burning hurts your health, wallet and the planet. 
Clean Air Night is a chance to learn from expert voices who will be shining a light on the myths of wood burning in videos that will be shared from sundown (4:35pm).
This Clean Air Night, learn the truth about wood burning and help protect yourself, your family and your community by sharing what you’ve learned.  
Visit the Clean Air Hub to find out more or check out #CleanAirNight. 

Practical Solutions for Improved Investigation & Development of Brownfield & Contaminated Land in Scotland

Learn practical solutions for the improved investigation and development of brownfield and contaminated land in Scotland at Environment Analyst’s 17th annual Brownfield Land Scotland conference. 

Come together with the Scottish brownfield and regeneration community to: 

● Get updates on Scottish contaminated land policy 

● Learn first-hand from case studies on brownfield land regeneration 

● Regroup with your peers in-person, share experiences and make new connections 

Event sessions include: an update on the Scottish Government contaminated land policy work, a case study of the Leven Regeneration Programme, remediation and sustainable growth tool – development of natural capital metrics for land remediation, best practice for data collection and management to inform effective risk assessment, and best practice for regulation of mine gas risks – findings of a Scottish Government research project. 

Plus, they’ll be interactive roundtable discussions, where you can discuss a key topic of interest to you in a more participative format. Topics include: developing partnerships, aligning brownfield development with sustainability goals, incorporating BNG into local development planning and improving stakeholder engagement. 

BOOK YOUR TICKET

The UK government and devolved administrations agreed to take forward proposal to ensure that non-wholemeal wheat flour will be required to contain 250 micrograms of folic acid per 100 grams of flour to help in the prevention of neural tube defects in babies. They will also legislate to increase the minimum level of calcium carbonate, iron, and niacin in non-wholemeal flour to 15% of the nutrient reference value per 100g of flour.

Following a separate UK-wide public consultation in 2019, the UK government and devolved administrations announced in September 2021 their intention to proceed with arrangements to require the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid, to help prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) in foetuses.

To minimise the impact of this requirement on industry this policy was co-ordinated as part of this wider review of the regulations.

The consultation covering the wider review of the regulations in 2022 sought views and further information on proposals to:

• increase the minimum level of added nutrients to non-wholemeal flour and update criteria requirements for calcium carbonate added to flour
• introduce the mandatory addition of folic acid to flour at 250 micrograms per 100 grams of non-wholemeal wheat flour
• clarify that mandatory fortification applies to flour derived from common wheat only
• exempt small-scale mills from the fortification requirements (those producing less than 500 metric tonnes per annum)
• exempt flour used as a minor ingredient in a final product (less than 10% of the final product)
• introduce the use of improvement notices to the enforcement regime

Of the proposals put forward, the UK Government said it intended to proceed with all of the ones set out in the consultation with the exception of the exemption of flour used as a minor ingredient. This was ‘primarily due to the added complexity this would create which could have the potential to compromise the effectiveness and enforceability of the regulations’.

The use of the term wholemeal remains contentious in some parts of the industry. The Real Bread Campaign has complained about its use to describe ‘50/50’ loaves and those that contain small amounts of white flour. At the time, Defra clarified that Regulation 6 of the Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 is “clear and strict” in that the term wholemeal shouldn’t be used in the labelling, advertising, or name of such bread, but instead declared on the ingredients list. However, it stressed it was not making a statement of the law, and that only the courts can interpret the law in a legally binding way. To help businesses navigate this, guidance on Regulation 6 is expected to be released shortly.

The UK Government will notify the World Trade Organization (all UK) and the European Commission (for changes in Northern Ireland) in accordance with international obligations, with a view to making the legislative changes later in 2024.

Global Action Plan hosted a lunchtime Webinar on 7 December unveiling the economic impact of burning wood.

The session discussed the details of recent economic research carried out by Global Action Plan and Impact on Urban Health which compares the cost of heating your home through burning wood, gas boilers and heat pumps.

The webinar also introduces the inaugural Clean Air Night, a sister-event to the long-established Clean Air Day.

You can view the recorded webinar here.

Findings from a paper published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate that 22,138 lives in Scotland were saved as a direct result of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.  

The paper, supported by Public Health Scotland (PHS), documents the estimated number of lives saved from COVID-19 vaccination programmes across 33 European countries, including Scotland, from December 2020 to March 2023.  

It highlights that during the study period, COVID-19 vaccines reduced deaths by 57% across the WHO European Region, saving over 1.4 million lives, with most of those saved being aged 60 years or older. 

The largest reduction in mortality was achieved in countries, such as Scotland, that implemented early vaccination programmes which covered large parts of the population and reached high vaccination coverage. 

The paper estimates that in Scotland around 70% of deaths have been averted among those over 25 years old as a direct result of the vaccination programme. This provides an updated figure from an earlier estimate that was published by the WHO in 2021. 

Discussing the study, co-author Dr Jim McMenamin, Head of Health Protection Infection Services at PHS, said: 

“This important research indicates the benefits of early implementation and high uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Scotland. Thanks to all those who contributed to the vaccination programme and our communities in Scotland, it is now estimated that over 22 thousand lives were saved.  

“This underscores the vital impact that vaccinations have played in our response to the pandemic. We are hugely grateful to all those who have played their part by taking up the offer of vaccination and to colleagues who continue to work tirelessly to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to those most at-risk.” 

Reflecting on the continued risk that COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses present, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Vaccination and Immunisation at PHS, said: 

“Our latest data suggest that there is continued circulation of COVID-19 and flu in Scotland, with 700 people admitted to hospital in the first week of January alone.” 

“We know that vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against the most likely circulating strains of these viruses and it’s not too late to get vaccinated. I strongly encourage those who have not yet received their winter vaccines for COVID-19 and flu to increase their protection by taking up the offer if eligible.” 

The Scottish Government have announced that there will be tight safeguards introduced on XL Bully dogs in Scotland to make it a criminal offence to own the breed without an exemption certificate.

The legislation will mirror what has been introduced by the UK Government in England and Wales, and prevent Scotland from becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for this breed.

Under the new rules, existing owners will be required to consider whether they wish to keep their dogs. If they do, they will have to apply and pay a fee for an exemption permit. This will require owners to ensure appropriate safeguards are taken for their XL Bully dogs such as muzzling when in public, being on a lead when in public, taking out insurance and neutering their dogs. 

In addition, it will be illegal to sell an XL Bully dog, abandon a dog or let it stray or give it away.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the Minister for Victims and Community Safety will make a statement to Parliament next week on these new safeguards.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said:

“We recognise that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible animal lovers. However, now that we know the full implications for Scotland of the UK government’s measures, we are urgently bringing forward new safeguards on XL Bully dogs. It is essential Scotland is not adversely impacted because of any loopholes created as a consequence of the introduction of the UK Government’s policy in England and Wales.

“Recent reports of XL Bully dogs being moved to Scotland from south of the border are concerning and it’s important we do not become a dumping ground for the breed, leading to unacceptable risks to public safety and animal welfare.

“We will be working at pace to bring forward necessary regulations to mirror the system introduced in England and Wales as soon as possible. We will continue to engage with key stakeholders going forward and to offer practical support to help owners comply with these new safeguards.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Public Health Scotland (PHS), Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are working together with other partner agencies to investigate an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O145 identified through the analysis of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data.

As of 27 December 2023, 30 confirmed cases have been reported across England and Scotland since late July 2023, with most cases reported in December 2023. Fifteen cases are female (50%), with ages of all cases ranging from 7 to 81 years (median age of 35 years). For those with information available (n=19), 63% (n=12) have reported bloody diarrhoea, 58% (n=11) reported hospitalisation for their illness and 1 case developed HUS. One death has been associated with this outbreak.

Epidemiological and food chain investigations have identified links between some of the identified cases and a number of unpasteurised cheeses produced by a business in England.

As a precautionary measure, the FSA and FSS issued a product recall on 24 December 2023 for 4 cheeses. A further product was recalled on 27 December. UKHSA is continuing to follow up cases to identify any common links, including determining whether cases ate or came into contact with the recalled cheeses.

In addition to the above outbreak, UKHSA has also been working with partner agencies to investigate 3 other non-O157 STEC outbreaks across the UK since October 2023. These outbreaks have also been identified through WGS and include a different strain of STEC O145 and 2 outbreaks of STEC O26. The number of cases associated with these outbreaks varies from 15 to 44 reported cases. 

The driver of the general increase in non-O157 STEC case reporting has not yet been identified. However, analysis of the available information from questionnaires completed by cases, and the national distribution of cases, suggest that these identified outbreaks are all likely foodborne in origin and involve a variety of different sources. Investigations remain ongoing to identify the sources of contamination and implement risk management and public health protection actions.

Season Greetings
On behalf of everyone at REHIS,  we wish you a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to working with you again in 2024.

Please note that the REHIS Office will be closed from Fri 22^nd December until Wed 3^rd January 2024. 

(There will be a limited service on 27^th to 29^th Dec with some staff working from home on these dates)

Diary Dates for 2024

The Institute is delighted to advise that we have a great line up of events being planned for 2024 and here are some dates for your diary.

• Annual Forum – Wednesday 24th April 2024 (Hybrid event)
• Pollution update – Wednesday 22^nd May 2024  (MS Teams)
• Food update – Wednesday 5^th June 2024 (MS Teams)
• Health & Safety update – Wednesday 4^th September 2024 (MS Teams)
• Environmental Health update followed by the AGM – Friday 22 November (Hybrid event)
• Public Health & Housing update – Wednesday 27^th November 2024 (MS Teams)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Participants of the Institute’s CPD Scheme, will be aware that CPD submissions for calendar year 2023 require to be with the Institute by 31 January 2024. The submission and the supporting evidence can be submitted online via the members section of the website.  For guidance on the updated CPD scheme, please refer here CPD – REHIS