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Keir Starmer comments on Labour’s tobacco policy
In an interview with the Financial Times ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Labour leader Keir Starmer was asked about Labour’s tobacco policy.
Asked whether Labour would be prepared to take on “big tobacco” and introduce an outright smoking ban — as hinted at by opposition health spokesman Wes Streeting — Starmer sounds cautious.
“It’s a conversation we need to have, but that will be in the form of discussions and consultations rather than a fixed position,” Starmer said.
Source: FT, 18 January 2023
See also: The Times- Wes Streeting: We must think radically
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Disposable vapes ban to be considered for Scotland
A ban on disposable vapes will be considered by the Scottish government, the health minister has confirmed.
It follows a campaign against the cheap e-cigarettes, which contain lithium batteries, because of the threat they pose to the environment.
Friends of the Earth Scotland said companies should be held accountable for the design of products like vapes.
Humza Yousaf told MSPs that a review would give "consideration" to a potential ban of the devices.
Asked in the Scottish Parliament about the campaign against single-use vapes, he said an expert group would examine evidence on the devices.
Because they contain valuable materials such as lithium batteries and copper, as well as plastic, vapes are classed as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and users are supposed to dispose of them at a household recycling centre or at the shop where they bought the device.
Currently large shops must take back all items of small electronic products like disposable vapes in store to be recycled for free, regardless of whether the item was bought in that shop. And smaller retailers are legally obliged to finance the take back, collection and treatment of these products when they become waste.
Mr Yousaf said: "We will ask stakeholders with the relevant expertise to examine the evidence and assess what action the Scottish government and other partners should take.
"That will include consideration of a potential ban."
Source: BBC news, 20 January 2023
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Scotland: West Lothian raid uncovers massive illegal tobacco factory worth £1 million
A major illegal tobacco factory has been uncovered in West Lothian after police and HMRC carried out an operation. Police say it is one of the biggest they've seen.
The illegal factory has been dismantled after it was uncovered in a special operation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Police Scotland.
The state-of-the-art factory, capable of evading millions of pounds of duty per year, had a sophisticated set up which included expensive machinery and insulation to hide noise and smells.
Four tonnes of tobacco was recovered, worth an estimated £1 million in unpaid duty, along with suspected counterfeit tobacco pouches.
Joe Hendry, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “This was one of the largest and most sophisticated tobacco factories we have ever uncovered in Scotland. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to target anyone we suspect as being involved in the illicit tobacco trade.
“The illicit tobacco trade steals money from our vital public services, undercuts legitimate businesses and can fund other crimes that harm our communities.”
Source: Edinburgh Live, 17 January 2023
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The Health Foundation: Leave no one behind report
The Health Foundation have published a report on health inequalities in Scotland and have found that in 2019, there was a 24-year gap in the time spent in good health between people living in the most and least deprived 10% of local areas in Scotland.
They state that an unprecedented stagnation in pay and living standards is the main driver for these inequalities.
Source: The Health Foundation, 17 January 2023
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