6. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has had with ministerial colleagues regarding action to reduce instances of vaping in schools. (S6O-02637)

We remain concerned about the proportion of young people who are using vaping products. Scottish Government officials in the education and health and social care portfolios are working together to ensure that we take a holistic approach to tackling vaping in schools.

We are also working with Education Scotland and public and third sector partners to support work on substance use education. Future work will be informed by insights from our forthcoming behaviour in Scottish schools research, which, as I alluded to in a previous response, will be published next month. We would expect local authorities to work with schools to ensure appropriate measures are in place to deal with incidents of vaping.

We know that underage vaping is widespread, but we do not know how prevalent it is in our school system. Analysis that I conducted at the start of the year revealed that at least 22 local authorities were unable to provide information on vapes being confiscated from pupils. What information does the Scottish Government hold on the problem, and how many schools are now recording that information consistently?

On the evidence that we hold on the issue, although the most recent survey of young people’s substance use shows that the Majority of teenagers do not vape regularly, we are concerned about the proportion of young people who have tried vaping. We know that the majority of pupils agree, or would strongly agree, that their school has given them the advice and support that they need to make important decisions about drinking, alcohol, smoking and drugs. However, more broadly, I think that there is further action that we can take.

The member will recognise that there is a split in responsibilities in health and education. Education Scotland is taking forward further work to that end at the national level. I would, however, be more than keen to see the data that the member has gathered on the topic, as I have not had sight of it. More, broadly, he has raised a really important topic.

In my initial response to the member, I alluded to the behaviour in Scottish schools research, which will tap into some of the behaviour change that has happened in our schools, particularly since the pandemic. I would be happy to meet the member to talk about the issue in more detail, recognising that it is a challenge in our schools at the current time.

We know that the colourful packaging, cheap price and easy accessibility of vaping products confirms that they are targeted at our younger population, almost one in 10 of those who vape are thought to be under the age of 16, and the health implications are still not known. Urgent action is required. Will the Cabinet secretary update members on any discussions that have been had with schools and local authorities about stores that sell those products within the vicinity of schools, to work towards ensuring that youth vaping, particularly in the school setting, is reduced and eradicated?

The enforcement of the legislation on the sale and purchase of those products is carried out by local councils as part of the enhanced tobacco sales enforcement programme, which is overseen by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.

Last year, we wrote to all retailers who sell nicotine vapour products to remind them of their responsibilities to comply with legislation on the sale of those products—the member made an important point about the targeting of young people in that space. More broadly, we encourage anyone who has information about suppliers who might be providing vapes to underage young people to contact trading standards.

There is, however, a challenge in relation to some of the legislation. We are keen to work across the UK to take a four-nations approach to tackling the issue more broadly. As I alluded to in my response to Maurice Golden, there is a separation between the educational responsibilities and those of the health directorate. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the health directorate to ensure that the Government takes a consistent approach to dealing with the issue.