Former Scottish first minister Lord McConnell has called for a cross-party push to introduce tougher vaping restrictions in Scotland, including a potential ban on indoor vaping and stronger protections aimed at reducing youth uptake.
In an article published by public policy institute Enlighten, McConnell urged Scotland’s political parties to work together on vaping restrictions in the same way they united behind Scotland’s public smoking ban more than 20 years ago.
The former first minister said rising youth vaping rates should be treated as a major public health concern, pointing to Scottish government data showing that 10.1 per cent of 15-year-olds vape regularly.
McConnell also highlighted the increasing presence of vape shops on high streets and criticised what he described as aggressive marketing tactics by vaping companies.
“Companies who profit most from increased sales of vapes use exploitative marketing to create a new addiction for this generation, just as their predecessors did with smoking,” he said.
He called on the new Scottish government and public health minister Maree Todd to examine further measures, including restrictions on indoor vaping and tougher action against businesses accused of targeting young users.
The intervention adds further momentum to proposed restrictions already outlined in the SNP’s 2026 manifesto, which includes plans for a vape display ban that would treat vaping products similarly to tobacco.
Under the proposals, the display, advertising and promotion of vapes and nicotine pouches in retail environments would be restricted.
McConnell welcomed elements of the Westminster Tobacco & Vapes Bill, particularly proposals to restrict vape advertising, but argued that enforcement funding and future-proof legislation would also be essential.
Responding, Richard Begg, head of learning & development at VPZ, said protecting young people from nicotine products should remain a priority for both government and the vaping industry, but warned against treating vaping and smoking as equivalent products.
“Vaping and smoking are not the same and should not be regulated as though they are,” he said.
Begg argued that vaping products play an important role as a reduced-risk alternative for adult smokers and warned that proposals such as indoor vaping bans could send the wrong public health message.
“Calls for indoor vaping bans risk sending the wrong public health message by implying vaping carries the same level of harm as smoking,” he said.
He added that overly restrictive measures could undermine efforts to reduce smoking rates in Scotland, particularly among adults who have switched from combustible tobacco products.
Begg said policymakers should instead focus on “balanced, evidence-based regulation” that protects children, supports responsible retailing and maintains access to vaping products for adult consumers seeking an alternative to smoking.