Written Question · S6W-38388 · Session 6
In light of the UK Government committing £10 million of new funding in 2025-26 for trading standards in England to tackle underage sales of…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government committing £10 million of new funding in 2025-26 for trading standards in England to tackle underage sales of tobacco and vapes, prevent sales of illicit tobacco and nicotine products, and fund up to 80 more apprentice enforcement officers, how much funding it is committing to (a) support trading standards teams in Scotland with the ban on single-use disposable vapes, which came into effect on 1 June 2025, and (b) address any challenges in stopping sales of illicit tobacco and nicotine products in communities.
The answer
Enforcement of Tobacco and Vapes legislation, including the Single Use Vape (SUV) regulations is a local government issue, and in line with the Verity House Agreement we do not ring-fence or direct local authority funding.Funding is provided annually to Local Government and they have responsibility for working to ensure local budget decisions deliver local and national priorities, including those on the enforcement of existing legislation, including on underage sales and illicit tobacco and vapes and the single use vape ban.In addition, the Scottish Government has made £300k available for transitional costs associated with the ban on SUVs, and to support recycling and responsible disposal of SUV’s seized by local authorities.We work closely with the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) to support enforcement of existing legislation, including on underage sales and illicit tobacco and vapes. This includes providing funding of £46k for the SCOTSS national co-ordinator role for Scotland.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-38388 by reference.