Sainsbury's has been warned a company review of disposable vapes, which could see their stores put the devices behind counters, doesn’t go far enough.
The probe by the supermarket giant was revealed in a letter to Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who has called for single-use e-cigs to be taken off display in stores following an explosion in underage teen vaping.
Mackay welcomed the move as a "simple and common-sense step" - but joined charities and green groups in urging Sainsbury’s to implement a full ban of disposable vapes.
It comes amid our campaign to outlaw the throwaway gadgets due to the growing litter and pollution menace they pose in our streets and parks.
Politicians and charities have been piling pressure on retailers to restrict the products over fears that brightly-coloured, sweet-flavoured disposable vapes are targeted at youngsters.
Shocking figures last year revealed one in ten S4 schoolkids admit to regularly vaping despite not being old enough to buy the age-restricted products.
Waitrose brought in a full ban on disposable vapes in their stores in December over environmental and health concerns.
Campaigning MSP Mackay has written to a string of big-name retailers urging them to hide single-use vapes behind neutral screens at the kiosk in the same way as traditional tobacco products.
In a response to the Green politician seen by the Record, Sainsbury’s said they did "not currently have these products behind shutters” but were “in the process of reviewing this”.
Mackay said: “This is a very welcome step by one of the UK’s largest and best known supermarket brands.
“I would hope Sainsbury’s review concludes with the same advice issued by health, education and international experts – that disposable vapes should be kept well away from temptation for young people.
“There is growing evidence of the terrible harm being done to corrupt young lungs, as well as causing a spike in litter, and retailers cannot simply shift the blame onto users."
The Scottish Greens health spokeswoman added: “I would also encourage Sainsbury's to use this opportunity to consider going further.
“There is a strong case for banning these products altogether, as Waitrose did last year, leading the way as influential and responsible retailers ahead of any legislation being imposed.”
Anti-smoking charity ASH Scotland warned the widespread availability of cheap, candy-flavoured vapes was “driving a huge increase in youth experimentation with vaping”.
Chief exec Sheila Duffy added: “While Sainsbury’s review is welcome, we would call on them to go further – socially responsible retailers should stop selling disposable e-cigarettes completely.
“These recreational products are highly addictive and many disposable e-cigarettes include toxic chemicals that have not been safety tested for inhalation and could seriously damage health over time.
“This is especially worrying for children whose lungs are still growing.”
Barry Fisher, chief exec of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said e-cigs were contributing to a "litter emergency", adding: "We’re calling on all Scottish retailers to follow Waitrose and stop the sale of single-use vapes in their premises.”
Both the Scottish and UK governments are currently considering a potential ban on fruity, disposable vape brands.
In their letter to Mackay, a senior Sainsbury’s official said: “I would like to reassure you that as one of the UK’s largest supermarkets we take our responsibilities seriously.
“As such, all our vaping products are covered by the Think 25 challenge in the same way as alcohol and cigarettes at our kiosks, checkouts and self-service checkouts.
“We do not currently have these products behind shutters, but we are in the process of reviewing this."
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