Disposable vapes and the pollution they cause is an issue that needs to be dealt with now.
That’s why the Daily Record is launching its campaign today to outlaw these products and shine a light on the scale of the problem. To much fanfare last year, the Scottish Government announced a ban on most types of single-use plastics.
But right under their noses, a litter epidemic of throwaway e-cigs has been sweeping the nation. Some 1.3million are discarded by Brits every week amid a surge in popularity since 2021. And, of those, untold thousands end up in general landfill – raising the risk of dangerous rubbish fires.
Even those users who would like to recycle them face a massive headache due to the complex mix of materials in the devices, from the plastic casing, to the lithium battery and chemicals inside. This isn’t about punishing Scots who vape. But, when there are rechargeable e-cigs readily available in shops, it is about seeing the bigger picture.
That’s why we welcome Green MSP Gillian Mackay’s call for a ban – and applaud the efforts of campaigners like the relentless Laura Young in highlighting this situation. But a ban only solves part of the problem – next up, we need to get serious about cleaning up the mess that has already been made in our cities, parks and, most acutely, on our beaches.
Not just vape products but all the other types of plastic and other pollution that plague our coastlines and animal life. Meanwhile, this fight against disposable vapes could well be Scotland’s last major legislative battle against the polluting scourge of single-use plastics. And it’s one we have to win.
Betrayal of pupils
We have reported extensively on the unprecedented crisis facing the health service on a range of fronts.
Schools are not currently enduring the same pressures, but the service is slowly getting there. Teachers feel demoralised and pupils are not getting the resources they need.
The attainment gap is stubbornly high and kids from deprived families are being let down every day. So it is deeply worrying that Glasgow council has drawn up options to slash over 800 teaching posts to help make £51m of cuts.
The SNP-led council is, like all local authorities, under huge strain due to a stingy Scottish Government funding settlement, but these cuts are unacceptable. Cutting education to the bone would be the betrayal of a generation of Glasgow’s pupils and must be rejected outright.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
