A NEW ban on disposable vapes will come into effect in Scotland this weekend.
The crackdown on the devices, also known as single-use vapes, will come into force on Sunday.
The ban applies across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It means that shops will be banned from selling disposable vapes both online and in-store. However, shops can still sell reusable vapes.
Here's everything you need to know.
What is a disposable vape?
Disposable vapes are single-use and come filled and charged.
They are activated by inhaling, do not have a replaceable coil and cannot be recharged or refilled.
They are designed to be small and can fit inside a pocket, with the battery only lasting a short while.
Reusable vapes, on the other hand, can be recharged and use pre-filled pods which slot into the device, which are then disposed of once empty in the same way as a disposable vape.
Why have disposable vapes been banned?
The ban, introduced by the previous Tory government, is intended to protect children's health and prevent environmental damage.
The action comes amid worry around the harm the discarded products have on the environment, the risk of fires they pose and concern that they encourage young people to vape.
Disposable vapes are typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than taken to a recycling point.
When recycled properly – such as by returning them to a vape shop – disposable vapes are taken to recycling centres where they need to be taken apart by hand. Their lithium-ion batteries can also pose a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment.
What happens if a shop still sells disposable vapes?
In Scotland, any shops who continue to sell disposable vapes risk a £200 fine in the first instance. If that fine is paid within 14 days, it is discounted to £150.
The fine rises by £200 each time a shop is caught.
If the fine is not accepted, or in instances where an enforcement officer does not consider a fine appropriate, the offender can be fined £5000, sentenced to two years in prison, or both.
Individuals are not at risk of prosecution if they are found to be in possession of disposable vapes, unless they are intending to sell or supply them.
