MSPs unanimously approve Scotland’s UK-leading single-use vapes ban regulations
- 11 October 2024
MSPs unanimously voted in the Scottish Parliament to approve the Scottish Government’s draft Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 which will enable Scotland to become the first of the four countries in the UK to officially ban disposable e-cigarettes. Similar country-specific regulations are anticipated to be considered in the Senedd, Stormont and Westminster, with […]
Minimum Unit Price increases
- 9 October 2024
The minimum price per unit of alcohol will increased by 15 pence on 30 September . MSPs previously voted to continue the public health measure which had been scheduled to end automatically on 30 April as part of a ‘sunset clause’ when Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) legislation was introduced in 2018. They also voted to […]
Emeritus Professor Kofi Aidoo in a new prestigious role
- 4 October 2024
REHIS Fellow and Past President, Emeritus Professor Kofi Aidoo has been appointed to a prestigious role for his standing in the international public health community. The Institute was delighted to learn that the Singapore National Medical Research Council has recently appointed Kofi to the Scientific Advisory Board Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant (OF-LCG) programme […]
REHIS News – September 2024
- 23 September 2024
REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health and Higher Certificate in Food Practice – Professional Examinations The Professional Examinations (Interviews) are taking place on Tuesday 1 to Thursday 3 October at the Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline. The Institute wishes the best of luck to all 24 candidates. REHIS Environmental Health Update and Annual General Meeting The free […]
More action needed to protect children from air pollution say children’s doctors
- 23 September 2024
As part of their updated position statement, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is calling for stronger action from the UK government to protect children from the health harms of air pollution. Paediatricians at the RCPCH highlight their concerns in a newly updated position statement published on 19 September, which summarises recent scientific […]
Scottish Government pause ban on wood burning stoves
- 23 September 2024
The Scottish government has temporarily dropped restrictions on the installation of wood burning stoves in newbuild homes or conversions. On 19 September, Minister for Climate Action Alasdair Allan sent letters to the chief executives of all Scotland’s local authorities announcing that the ban had been lifted with immediate effect. On April 1, 2024, new building […]
FSS publish position paper for Processed and ultra-processed food
- 23 September 2024
Food Standards Scotland have published a paper which sets out their position in relation to processed and ultra processed foods (UPFs). There has been growing interest in the topic of food processing in recent years, with lots of reports linking ultra-processed foods with health and environmental outcomes and emphasising the prominence these foods have within […]
EU sees rise in food safety alerts and fraud investigations
- 21 September 2024
The number of food safety alerts and fraud investigations exchanged between European member states went up in 2023. The European Commission, which manages the Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN), said there was a significant increase in notifications compared to 2022. The network includes the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed Network (RASFF), the Administrative […]
Increasing rates of Legionnaires’ disease in Scotland
- 21 September 2024
Public Health Scotland has published Scottish Legionnaires’ disease data for 2023, which shows an ongoing increase in cases and incidence. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria, which can be acquired if tiny droplets of water containing the bacteria are inhaled. Symptoms can include a cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, […]
UK Government considers outdoor smoking ban in England
- 21 September 2024
The UK government is considering restricting smoking in some outdoor public areas to help cut deaths from tobacco use and reduce the burden on the NHS. The plans are not concrete, however measures could involve banning smoking in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, and hospital grounds. Any new ban would apply only in England, but the […]
Information for consumers after further seizures of counterfeit alcohol
- 19 September 2024
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is issuing information to consumers to help identify counterfeit vodka products following more seizures over the weekend. The counterfeit vodka, so far recovered in local convenience stores in Coatbridge and Glasgow, was sold in 35cl bottles (commonly known as half bottles) and fraudulently labelled as Glen’s. FSS have been working closely […]
Friends of the Pentlands – the late John Stirling
- 19 September 2024
Recently, the Friends of the Pentlands unveiled a memorial to the late John Stirling, founder of “Friends of the Pentlands” and past President and Honorary Member of REHIS. John was a tireless enthusiast for improving the environment of the hills and increasing access for all. The memorial takes the form of a 3-D relief map of the […]
