Friday March 27th 2026
Vapes
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
A Linlithgow councillor has called for legislation for traders selling products such as vapes.
Sally Pattle chair of Linlithgow Local Area Committee told this month’s meeting that a legislative framework was needed to address changes on Scotland’s high streets.
The call came in the wake of the disastrous fire in Union Street in Glasgow a fortnight ago.
The blaze is believed to have started in a vape shop. The entire Victorian building- known as Union Corner – which adjoins Glasgow Central station was gutted in the blaze and has had to be demolished.
Councillor Pattle asked planning officer about the council’s position.
A planning officer, Matthew Watson, said the council had few regulatory powers.
“I wonder what is the council’s statutory role in inspecting places that sell lithium ion battery products such as vape shops but also shops that sells electric bikes.
“My concern is that in Linlithgow lot of properties that sell these products are surrounded by residential properties.”
Mr Watson told the meeting there is no licensing by the council through Trading Standards but vape sellers have to be on a national register.
From a planning point of view a shop selling vapes is treated in the same way as any Class 1A trader such as a hairdresser or baker.
“From a regulatory point of view there’s very little,” Mr Watson said.
Councillor Pattle replied: “So legislation would have to come from the Scottish Government. It doesn’t feel as if the regulatory framework has kept up with the changes that have happened on high streets.
“It’s not just Linlithgow or West Lothian, but all over Scotland. These products weren’t around 10 years ago.”
Bathgate councillor Willie Boyle raised the issue at the town’s local area committee the day after the Glasgow fire.
Gerry Hughes, the local liaison officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, told the Bathgate committee battery fires were something everyone had to “get better” at recognising the risks.
Mr Hughes told the meeting: “We can try to educate people to dispose of these batteries safely. We have to get ahead of these things and get better. There are new risks to communities and we need to tackle them head on.”
A spokesman for West Lothian Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this week: “When it comes to vapes Trading Standards are responsible for:-
– Overarching principle where all consumer products available must be safe.
– We ensure that vapes have the correct size of nicotine tank – regulated by MHRA
– Ensure that single use vapes are no longer on sale – legislation banned them last year.
– Check that the correct safety warnings and markings are displayed to confirm / declare compliance – UKCA mark
– Prevent underage sales of vaping products (fixed penalties can be issued)
– Ensure that businesses selling vapes are registered with the national register to do so (FPN if not registered)
“The situation in Glasgow may or may not have been caused by vapes. They tend to be stable unless damaged. They can be unpredictable also. If they do ignite they can be very difficult to extinguish.
“There have been some high profile fires at recycling and waste transfer facilities caused by lithium batteries. It is a world-wide problem. Lithium batteries are effective as batteries but do pose risks.”
A cross-Government Ministerial Board has been established to coordinate the Scottish Government’s immediate and longer-term response to the Glasgow Union Corner fire.
Chaired by Livingston MSP and Justice Secretary Angela Constance, the board will ensure that work across the Scottish Government is most effectively supporting the city’s recovery efforts. It will also oversee the development of a support package to aid in the recovery process.
Tweet Share on Facebook
