The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on the packaging, appearance and in-store display of tobacco, vaping and nicotine products.
The 12-week consultation began on 10 July 2026.
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The move is aimed at gathering views on proposals intended to reduce the appeal of these products to children and young people.
The measures focus on how the products look, how they are packaged and how they are displayed in shops.
Scottish Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “The use of vapes has increased in recent years, particularly among children and young people — with almost one in five children saying they have tried vaping.
“We know that colourful packaging and displays are used as an enticement to children and young people, which is why we are taking action and consulting on options to address this issue.
“We urge everyone to have their say on how these products are marketed and sold in the future to help protect children and young people and reduce preventable harm in Scotland.”
Scottish Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith said: “This is a vital step to protect public health and support Scotland’s aim of a tobacco-free generation by 2034. Scotland’s ‘Tobacco and Vaping Framework and Population Health Framework’ place a strong emphasis on prevention and reducing the use of health-harming products, including tobacco and nicotine.
“Action on how these products are promoted is central to that aim, and the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 provides a strengthened legislative basis for action. This work will help reduce health harms, address health inequalities, and respond proportionately to emerging risks from vaping.”
The move forms part of wider action to cut preventable deaths caused by smoking and to introduce stricter controls on vaping. It includes last year’s ban on the sale of single-use vapes.
The consultation sits alongside a UK-wide process, ‘Tobacco and vapes: packaging, appearance and display – GOV.UK’.
It follows the passing of the UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Act earlier this year.
That legislation made it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
It also introduced new powers to regulate the contents, display, flavours and retail packaging of vapes and nicotine products.
