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We’re delighted to see REHIS Fellow and Honorary Member, Bernard Forteath, recognised with the Eric Foskett Award at the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) Congress for his outstanding services to International Environmental Health.

A well-deserved honour celebrating his dedication and impact across the profession.

Bernard began his career in Environmental Health as a Student Environmental Health Officer in 1965. Once qualified, he worked his way through various positions to eventually Executive Director of Renfrewshire Council until his retirement in 2006. Bernard is a Chartered Environmental Health Officer and a Fellow and Honorary Member of REHIS.

Since joining the former Sanitary Inspectors’ Association of Scotland in 1965, Bernard has maintained a close interest in his professional association. He was President of the Scottish Institute of Environmental Health in 1980 and was a member of the team involved in setting up REHIS in 1982. For the first few years he was the Honorary Secretary and the Public Relations Officer of REHIS and was elected President in 1987, 2006 and in 2012. In 1986 he was also elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health.

On the international front, Bernard was one of the Institute’s three representatives of the International Federation of Environmental Health for many years. He was Secretary of the Eurocypria Group of the IFEH before it joined with the Nordic Group to form the IFEH Europe Group. Bernard became President of the IFEH in May 2008 and completed his term of office in September 2010. He was also Hon. Public Relations Officer of the Federation and Editor of their quarterly Newsletter until 2014. He was also President of the European Federation of Environmental Health in 2016/17.  Bernard is Honorary Vice President of the IFEH

Bernard is truly deserving of this prestigious award. Congratulations to Bernard.

The Scottish Coalition on Tobacco (SCOT), of which REHIS is a member, has welcomed the UK Government’s landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which received Royal Assent yesterday (Wednesday 29 April 2026) following its introduction on 5 November 2024 through a four-nations approach.

The new law will make it illegal, from 1 January 2027, to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. It also introduces a range of significant public health measures, including a ban on the sale of nicotine pouches to under-18s and restrictions on the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and other recreational nicotine products.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland and Chair of SCOT, said: “With tobacco continuing to be the biggest preventable killer of people in Scotland, causing nearly 9,000 deaths each year, we are delighted that strong measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Act will become reality as they can be truly transformative and must be implemented without delay.

“Everyone should have the right to breathe clean air, and this is a significant step towards eradicating the damage being inflicted by profit-centred multi-national corporations on people’s lives, especially in our poorest communities, and tackling the advertising and promotions of addictive, heath harming recreational nicotine products such as vapes and nicotine pouches.”

The Environmental Health profession have long advocated for stronger tobacco and nicotine controls as a key means of improving public health and reducing health inequalities. Through their work in regulation, enforcement and education, they play a vital role in protecting the public from the harms associated with tobacco use and emerging nicotine products. These new measures represent an important step forward in supporting healthier communities and preventing future generations from becoming addicted to tobacco and nicotine.

For more information read here: Scottish Coalition On Tobacco celebrates strong public health promoting measures becoming law – ASH Scotland

Scottish Coalition on Tobacco (SCOT) current members:

ASH Scotland, Asthma and Lung UK, British Heart Foundation, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Medical Association, Royal College of Surgeons, Community Pharmacy Scotland, Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS), CRUK, Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), NCD Alliance Scotland, SANDS, Pancreatic Cancer Action, Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen), Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)

30.04.26

More than 208 tonnes of unsafe food has been stopped at the UK border by Ashford Port Health Authority, preventing products unfit for consumption from entering the national food supply.

Since November 2024, officers have seized and destroyed 208,563.81kg of food products deemed unsafe which is roughly equivalent to the weight of around 35 elephants. Of this total, 39 tonnes were intercepted and removed from the supply chain since 20 March 2026 alone, highlighting the scale of activity taking place at the UK border.

The Authority confirmed that all costs linked to seizing and destroying the goods are recovered from the importers responsible, meaning the enforcement activity comes at no cost to the UK taxpayer.

Officials say the interceptions underline the critical role port health authorities play in protecting public health and maintaining the integrity of the UK food chain. The seized consignments were not minor administrative breaches but products that posed genuine safety risks, including food that was incorrectly documented, improperly stored, contaminated before or during transit, or failing to meet UK safety standards.

In some cases, such goods can also provide pathways for serious animal and plant diseases to enter the country if they are not identified and stopped at the border.

Operating at the frontline of the UK’s biosecurity system, Ashford Port Health Authority carries out checks on imported goods to ensure they are safe, compliant and fit for consumption. The work has become increasingly important amid recent disease outbreaks in Europe and the continued need to protect the UK’s food chain and agricultural sector.

To support this work, the Authority has also been investing in AI-driven systems to assist with import document checks. The technology helps officers process large volumes of paperwork quickly, enabling inspection teams to focus their expertise on higher-risk consignments.

The latest figures come as scrutiny of UK border controls and food safety systems intensifies, with Ashford Port Health Authority handling the highest volume of commercial freight checks in the country and playing a central role in preventing unsafe food entering the UK market.

The Authority says it will continue investing in systems and processes to strengthen its ability to detect and intercept unsafe goods as import volumes and complexity increase.

Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) has published its new Strategy, setting out how the organisation will deliver its functions over the next five years. This marks the start of the next chapter for Scotland’s environmental scrutiny body.

The publication coincides with a significant moment for ESS, as the organisation prepares to take on additional scrutiny functions and looks ahead to becoming accountable to a newly elected Scottish Parliament following the May elections, with different committees and a refreshed legislative agenda.

The Strategy sets out four priority areas for ESS’ proactive work – climate change, nature, resources and water – while the document commits the organisation to continuing to receive representations from members of the public on any area of environmental law.

The document also outlines ESS’ vision for Scotland’s environment, along with five strategic objectives and the principles which will guide how the organisation will undertake its work over the next five years.

Alongside the new Strategy, ESS has today published its latest Business Plan for the year ahead, as well as a revised Communications and Engagement Plan and information on its performance indicators.

Dr Richard Dixon, Chair of ESS, said: “Our new Strategy places us in a strong position to navigate this period of change effectively. It will ensure we can continue delivering on our core purpose: making sure that environmental law in Scotland is fit for purpose.

“Our priority areas – climate change, nature, resources and water – reflect the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises in Scotland, and where we believe ESS’ focus can make a real difference.

“We are grateful to everyone who took the time to contribute to our consultation on our draft Strategy. Their feedback has directly shaped and strengthened the final document we are publishing today.”

Since its establishment, ESS has played an important role in strengthening compliance with and the effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland. Its work under the first Strategic Plan has delivered improvements in how Scotland’s environment is protected. For example, ESS has:

• undertaken an investigation to ensure the framework for reporting, monitoring and supporting local authorities in meeting climate change targets is effective

• made recommendations that have led to the increase in monitoring and publishing of information on storm overflows in Scotland and prompted a review of when storm overflows operate

• delivered actions that have strengthened protections for wetland sites, marine habitats and agreed changes to prevent excess incineration capacity
• contributed to the scrutiny of new environmental law in Scotland, including the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026

The new ESS Strategy builds upon this successful approach, ensuring continuity while empowering ESS to expand its role and maintain sharp, evidence‑based scrutiny of environmental law.

Guidance to support the implementation of the Food (Promotion and Placement) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 has been published.

The Food (Promotion and Placement) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 will come into force on 1 October 2026.

Building on material published in England and Wales the guidance has been developed with input from a range of stakeholders to support effective implementation of the regulations.

Regulations will make it easier for people to make healthier food choices by:

• targeting food categories that are significant contributors of calories, fat and sugar to the Scottish diet and are the food categories of ‘most concern to childhood obesity’ as described in the UK-wide reformulation programmes;
• restricting promotions of pre-packed food and drink products within targeted food categories that are HFSS;
• restricting certain price promotions of targeted HFSS foods, such as multi-buy offers (for example buy one get one free) and free refills of soft drinks with added sugar; and
• restricting the placement of targeted HFSS foods in prominent locations in store when retail stores are over 185.8 square metres (or 2,000 square feet) and equivalent key locations online.

These restrictions apply to medium and large businesses (with 50 employees or more) which are a ‘qualifying business’ as described in the regulations.

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the regulations using powers in the regulations, the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food (Scotland) Act 2015.

The guidance can be found here – Food (Promotion and Placement) (Scotland) Regulations 2025: implementation guidance – gov.scot

April issue of Environmental Health International is out now – view magazine here IFEH – 2026 March

The FSA Board has agreed the scope of the Future of Food Regulation programme, with a clear vision: an effective, resilient and trusted regulatory system that is fit for the future.

The Future of Food Regulation Programme will develop proposals to strengthen the system that keeps our food safe, to ensure it keeps pace with new and emerging food businesses and reflects how people buy and consume food today.  

The areas being explored by the programme include: 

• Enhancing the food business registration system to make it more effective 
• A national approach to regulation for some large businesses, which makes better use of existing data and assurance systems, alongside in-person inspections 
• Improving the way we provide guidance to local authorities and businesses  
• Strengthening enforcement powers where necessary to enable swift, proportionate action where needed 
• Improving consumer information, including making the display of Food Hygiene Ratings mandatory in England, building on the trust of the scheme 

The Board agreed that, following a request by the Government in the 2025 Budget, the programme should develop proposals for a national system of regulation for large, food businesses in England — such as major supermarkets.  

With government funding now in place, the Future of Food Regulation programme will explore a national system of regulation alongside other broader reforms that will make the food safety and standards system more resilient. 

The Board agreed that system improvements could help identify food safety risks more quickly, while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens for businesses without compromising the regulatory controls that are critical to upholding high levels of food safety.  

The FSA will now move forward with further engagement with local authorities, consumers, businesses and industry bodies, working in partnership to shape a food regulatory system that is fit for the future.

Smoking rates in Scotland have halved, and thousands of lives have been saved since smokefree legislation came into force twenty years ago. As the 26 March 2026 marks the 20th anniversary, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is highlighting the profound impact of the ban — a public health success story that continues to shape the nation’s wellbeing.

A new report, published by PHS, shows the positive impact this decisive measure has had on non-smokers too. The legislation protected most people in Scotland from breathing in cigarette smoke during their daily lives and the public health gains are clear. The reduction in second-hand smoke exposure resulted in fewer deaths and hospitalisations from heart attacks and strokes, as well as having a positive impact on the health of pregnant women and their babies. 

What’s more, today’s report highlights that we have made significant shifts in how we view tobacco in Scotland, with smoking having become less socially acceptable.

Commenting on the forthcoming 20^th anniversary of the implementation of Scotland’s smoke free legislation, Dr Garth Reid, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said:

“Smoking is one of the biggest causes of ill health and premature death in Scotland. Thanks to the smoking ban we have historically low smoking rates in Scotland, and we’re keen to encourage more people to give up smoking as we progress to becoming smoke-free in 2034.

“Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits start to happen quickly ­– even for people who have smoked for a long time. 

“Whether you’re ready to stop, or just beginning to think about it, the NHS Scotland stop smoking service, Quit Your Way, and your local pharmacy are here to help you stop smoking and stay stopped in a way that is right for you.”

Dr Rishma Maini, Consultant in Public Health at PHS said:

“Scotland’s smoking ban shows that bold, preventative action works. We now have an opportunity to apply that same ambition to other major drivers of ill health, including overweight and obesity. For example, legislation and regulation to improve the food environment could make it easier and more affordable to access a healthy diet. If we get this right, we can deliver the same scale of change again, improving health and wellbeing for people across Scotland.”

Public Health Scotland is the lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all of Scotland’s people. We lead and support work across Scotland to prevent disease, prolong healthy life, reduce health inequalities and promote health and wellbeing.

Scotland’s Climate Change Plan: 2026-2040 sets out over 150 actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next 15 years, bringing over £42.3 billion in financial benefits and cost savings to the economy over the same period.

Scotland is already over halfway to net zero having reduced emissions by 51.3% since 1990 – the largest reduction in the UK and faster than the EU average, using comparable statistics.

The final plan details how Scotland will meet  our next three carbon budgets, along with a range of delivery indicators. These include:

• setting a target to decarbonise heat in buildings by 2045
• phasing out the need for new diesel and petrol cars by 2030
• increasing woodland creation so that by 2029-30, 18,000 hectares are planted every year, with 21% woodland cover in Scotland by 2032
• increasing peatland restoration by 10% each year to 2030

Actions in the Climate Change Plan will also contribute to both the Environment Strategy, and the Circular Economy Strategy, also published today.

The new Environment Strategy creates an integrated framework for environment and climate policies, while harnessing the powerful synergies between the health of our environment, the well-being of Scotland’s people and the success of our economy while the Circular Economy Strategy underpins delivery of our climate goals by cutting the amount of waste produced in Scotland, and managing our resources more sustainably, to reduce emissions.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “The Climate Change Plan is Scotland’s pathway to net zero and outlines the action we will take to meet our first three carbon budgets.

“However it is also a routemap to realising economic and social gains for people across Scotland as part of a fair and just transition. It highlights the potential of growth areas ranging from renewables to heat networks to the circular economy, and sets out our commitment to increase investment in areas that will simultaneously decarbonise Scotland and improve our lives.

“Together with the Environment Strategy and Circular Economy Strategy, our Climate Change Plan forms a blueprint for how we will use this once-in-a-generation opportunity for transformation to reduce emissions while ensuring that our economy prospers, our communities are supported to become more resilient to the effects of climate change and to redress the issues of poverty and energy security that affect individual households.”

HSE has launched a consultation on The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

The consultation seeks stakeholder views on a range of legislative and non-legislative proposals to help reduce work-related ill health, one of HSE’s key strategic objectives. It also looks for options to reduce the burden on businesses, in making these reports to the regulator, through simplification of the reporting process.

Legislative

• clarifying definitions in Regulation 2 of RIDDOR and associated guidance, where certain terms have been identified as unclear or ambiguous
• revising the list of occupational diseases in Regulation 8 of RIDDOR by reintroducing some diseases that were previously on the list and adding new diseases to ensure serious instances of ill-health are captured
• broadening the scope of accepted “diagnosis” in Regulation 2 of RIDDOR to allow the diagnosis of an occupational disease by other types of registered health practitioners, not just doctors who are registered and hold a license to practice with the General Medical Council (GMC)
• revising the list of dangerous occurrences in Schedule 2 of RIDDOR by adding new categories and amending existing ones to reflect modern risks

Non-legislative

• improving the RIDDOR reporting process by simplifying the online form to reduce both under-reporting and over-reporting and improve overall usability

This consultation is relevant to all sectors and industries – in particular duty holders, self-employed people and those in control of work premises. It is also relevant to associated professions, including health care practitioners.

The full consultation document, including detailed proposals, background information and how to respond is available on our website.

View the consultation and submit comments: Consultation on proposals for The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.

The consultation runs until 30 June 2026.

In this episode of The REHIS Spotlight Sessions, we’re joined by Lindsey-Anne McNeil, President of REHIS and Principal Officer for Private Sector Housing at Glasgow City Council.

Lindsey-Anne shares her journey into environmental health, her experiences working within local government, and the important role housing plays in protecting public health. We also explore her work leading initiatives to improve housing standards across Glasgow, as well as her perspective on the profession and its future.

This episode offers valuable insight for anyone considering a career in environmental health, particularly those interested in housing and community wellbeing.

To listen to the podcast click here: 🎧Lindsey Anne McNeil

Noise Action Week returns in 2026 with the backing of a powerful coalition of professional bodies, regulators and industry organisations, underlining the urgent need to treat noise as a public health priority.

Coordinated by the Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) at the Institution of Environmental Sciences (the IES), the campaign will run from 11–15 May, putting a national spotlight on the health impacts of noise and the practical action needed to reduce it.

Noise Action Week is supported by the Institute of Acoustics (IOA), the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS), the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC), the Noise Abatement Society, the UK Noise Association, and the Noise App.

This broad coalition reflects growing cross-sector recognition that noise remains under-addressed, despite strong evidence linking it to serious health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia.

With one month to go, organisers are calling on local authorities, practitioners and businesses to support the campaign and help amplify its message. A programme of online events will run throughout the week, including a launch event on the health impacts of noise by internationally recognised expert Professor Charlotte Clark. A free communications toolkit and other resources are also available to drive engagement. Organisations and individuals can find out more, access resources and sign up for updates via the Noise Action Week webpage.

Chair of the ANC, Louise Beamish, said: “The World Health Organisation lists the impact of excessive noise on humans as increasing the risk for ischemic heart disease and hypertension, sleep disturbance, hearing impairment, tinnitus and cognitive impairment, as well as causing widespread annoyance.

The WHO also points to increasing evidence for other health impacts such as adverse birth outcomes and mental health problems, and there are also links between excessive noise exposure and dementia.

These are very serious, detrimental effects on society that ANC members work to address, and we welcome Noise Action Week as a means of raising the profile of the issues faced.”

John Stewart, Chair of the UK Noise Association, said: “The Government has got to get serious about tackling noise. It doesn’t just annoy millions of people but it is now recognised as a serious health issue.”

Gloria Elliott OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Noise Abatement Society, said: “Excessive noise is far more than a nuisance, it’s a serious and often overlooked public health issue. At the Noise Abatement Society (NAS), we see the real impact unwanted noise has on people’s everyday health and wellbeing. As a supporter of Noise Action Week, we are proud to work alongside our fellow sector partners to drive greater awareness, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to creating healthier sound environments for all.”

Ellie Savage, Campaign Coordinator at the IES, added: “The strong support we have already received shows the sector is ready to act. Noise Action Week 2026 puts the health impacts front and centre, showcasing practical solutions and best practice to ensure noise is taken seriously in policy, decision making and everyday life.”