National charities ASH Scotland and Asthma + Lung UK Scotland are today calling on politicians in Holyrood and Westminster to end the advertising and marketing of addictive health-harming nicotine products targeted to children and young people.

UPDATED 29/05/25: MSPs have this afternoon voted to support the legilsation looking to deliver stronger measures around tobacco and nicotine products – in what Cancer Research UK has called a “historic opportunity”.

The Scottish parliament today held a vote on the UK government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has recommended MSPs accept in Scotland.

The charities’ call comes as 86% of people surveyed by the charities in Scotland expressed concern about the marketing and promotion of vaping products to children and young people.

Meanwhile this Saturday, World No Tobacco Day, will focus on the World Health Organization launch ‘Unmasking the Appeal, Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products’.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, says that the parliamentary debate is an opportunity for MSPs to prevent business interference with public health:

“In supporting WHO’s 2025 World No Tobacco Day campaign in Scotland, we are speaking out against the predatory tobacco and nicotine industry’s marketing tactics promoting tobacco and nicotine products to create a new wave of addiction.

“We welcome the robust measures in the UK Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the Scottish Government’s LCM which propose to restrict the advertising and promotions of nicotine pouches and vapes to reduce their visibility and availability and protect the health of children now and of future generations.

“Ahead of today’s debate in the Scottish parliament, we strongly urge MSPs to pass the Bill’s motion and reject all destructive interference from the tobacco industry and its profit-motivated business associates who are not public health stakeholders.”

The charities say by introducing legalisation in Scotland and the UK, politicians can prevent further ‘disreputable tactics’ from the tobacco and nicotine industry to attract and retain children as consumers by restricting sweet and fruit flavours, sleek designs, attractive packaging and digital media campaigns glamorising smoking and vaping.

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung Scotland, says action by governments is the only way to counter the power of the nicotine industry:

“The high rates of children and young people vaping in Scotland is concerning and we strongly discourage non-smokers, especially children, from starting vaping. It is vitally important that the government takes action to prevent the vaping industry from marketing and promoting their products towards children.

“Our top priority is protecting the health of young people from the dangers of tobacco and preventing youngsters from starting to vape.

“The power and financial sway the tobacco and vaping industry have at their disposal to market their products is huge and we must continue to press the government to act against it and uphold the legislation that is already in place.”

Alongside ASH Scotland and Asthma + Lung Scotland, Cancer Research UK Scotland has now welcomed cross-party support from MSPs this afternoon.

Cancer Research UK in Scotland senior public affairs manager Debbie King said the vote marks a a “historic opportunity to turn the tide on the leading cause of cancer death in Scotland”, adding:

“The magnitude of damage caused by tobacco cannot be ignored – more than 689,000 people still smoke in Scotland.

“Smoking rates decline with government intervention. Raising the age of sale of tobacco products and funding cessation services will help to protect people from a lifetime of deadly and costly addiction.”

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