The Scottish Government have published a new Tobacco and Vaping Framework, which sets out actions to be taken to create a tobacco-free generation by 2034.
The Framework for reaching the 2034 goal includes action to raise the age limit for sales of tobacco and plans to improve services to help people quit. In addition, the Scottish Government will continue to review what further action is needed to limit the appeal of vapes to children, young people and non-smokers during the first phase of the framework which will run until November 2025 .
Earlier this month, the UK Government set out its plans for a “smoke-free generation” by phasing out the sale of cigarettes. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill going through Westminster will restrict the sale of tobacco so anyone turning 14 this year or younger will never legally be sold cigarettes. Scottish Ministers are producing their own framework which will complement this, with the cigarette phase-out also taking place in Scotland.
Key Framework actions are listed here Tobacco and Vaping Framework: Roadmap to 2034 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
The first 2 year implementation plan actions are list here Tobacco and Vaping Framework: Roadmap to 2034 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot) and these include an awareness raising campaign on e-cigarettes, work on pack inserts and age of sale, including potentially extending UK legislation to include age of sale for e-cigarettes, price levers, enforcement, review hospital grounds restrictions, and improving transparency and accountability.
The Framework replaces the previous 5-year action plans enacting the 2013 strategy with an overarching Tobacco and Vaping Framework, which will be underpinned by shorter action-focused 2-year implementation periods.
The new action plan was developed through engagement with a working group of public health experts, including ASH Scotland, Public Health Scotland, Cessation coordinators, academics and The Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland. Engagement also included views from the Poverty Alliance Scotland and from the 11th Citizen Panel for Health.
