Russell Findlay has accused the SNP Government of letting dodgy vape shops break the law after new figures showed that just 11 across Scotland had received spot fines in the last six years.
The stats, provided in response to a written question from the Scottish Conservative leader, reveal that no vape shop in Glasgow, Aberdeen or Dundee was issued with a fixed penalty notice in that time, while just one in Edinburgh was.
The safety of vape shops has come under close scrutiny in the wake of the devastating Union Street fire in Glasgow, which began in a vape shop that was not on the statutory national register of retailers.
Findlay said the figures proved that the regulations in relation to vape shops were not being enforced, which he blamed on the SNP’s underfunding of Scotland’s councils.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “These shocking figures are further evidence of the SNP government operating a soft-touch system that allows dodgy vape shops to break the law with impunity.
“The vast majority of Scotland’s 32 local councils, including Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, haven’t issued any fixed penalty notices for vape shop breaches over the past six years.
“The fact that only 11 spot fines were issued across the country in that time suggests a dangerously lax approach to enforcement – and is a consequence of the SNP starving councils of cash.
“Having a vape shop register is pointless if it’s not enforced. The SNP government must ensure the law is rigorously applied before there are any more fires.
“People living and working beside these businesses must have confidence that they are safe.”
Notes to editors
A copy of the answer to Russell Findlay’s written question is attached.
There were only 11 fixed penalty notices issued to shops carrying vapes for breaches of the Register of Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Product Retailers in the past six years across Scotland. For breaches relating to nicotine vapour products, between 2020/21 and 2025/26, one was issued in the City of Edinburgh, two in Highland, one in Midlothian, two in North Ayrshire, two in Perth and Kinross, one in Scottish Borders, one in Stirling, and one in West Dumbartonshire. (Scottish Parliament, 23 March 2025, attached).
Shops carrying vapes or tobacco products in Glasgow have received zero fixed penalty notices for breaches of the Register of Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Product Retailers in the past six years. For breaches relating to nicotine vapour products or tobacco products, Glasgow City Council issued zero fixed penalty notices to retailers for breaches of the Register of Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Product Retailers between 2020/21 and 2025/26. (Scottish Parliament, 23 March 2025, attached).
Fixed penalty notices were issued to shops carrying vapes for carrying on a business whilst unregistered, and carrying on a business from premises for which that person is not registered. For breaches relating to nicotine vapour products, nine were for carrying on a business while unregistered, and two were for carrying on a business from premises for which that person is not registered. (Scottish Parliament, 23 March 2025, attached).
There were only 37 fixed penalty notices issued to shops carrying tobacco products in the past six years across Scotland. For breaches relating to tobacco products, between 2020/21 and 2025/26, two were issued in Angus, two in Argyll & Bute, one in the City of Edinburgh, fifteen in Fife, one in Highland, one in Midlothian, two in Moray, one in North Ayrshire, two in Perth and Kinross, three in South Ayrshire, five in Stirling, and two in West Dumbartonshire. (Scottish Parliament, 23 March 2025, attached).