Vaping chiefs say Scots retailers who sell to kids should be slapped with £10k fines

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Vape industry chiefs have called for unscrupulous Scots retailers who sell their products to underage kids to be slapped with £10,000 on-the-spot fines.The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) backed hard-hitting measures to address the growing problem of teen vaping.Despite the products being restricted for under-18s, recent figures showed around one in ten Scots aged 15 admit to being regular users.And it follows research by the University of Glasgow this week highlighting how smoking e-cigs has become a fashionable trend among youngsters.It comes amid our campaign to raise awareness of the pollution menace from disposable plastic vapes, with our streets littered with the throwaway gadgets.Health campaigners suspect the brightly-coloured, fruit-flavoured vapes are being targeted at teenagers - and fear the impact of ingesting high levels of nicotine on their developing lungs.The UKVIA insisted it wants harsher punishments for rogue traders who sell to kids - and warned the current levels of fines in Scotland, which start at just £200, are a let-off.John Dunne, Director General of the industry body, told the Record: “We are calling for these far heavier fines across the UK, including Scotland, where they are currently far too low.“That encourages rogue operators to take a chance as they don’t hit them enough in the pocket to dissuade repeat breaches of the regulations.”While vaping plays a critical role in reducing the number of smokers in the UK and saving the taxpayer millions in the process, it is completely unacceptable for retailers to be selling these products to children.“It’s time to get tough on those who are getting away scot-free and making lots of money from continuously breaking the law.“No more