Latest news with #GrahamWatson
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway shopkeeper urging people not to buy illegal vapes
Graham Watson, who is also president of the Scottish Grocers' Federation, made the plea after a ban on the sale of single-use vapes came into force on Sunday A Moniaive shopkeeper is urging people in Dumfries and Galloway not to buy illegal vapes. Graham Watson, who is also president of the Scottish Grocers' Federation, made the plea after a ban on the sale of single-use vapes came into force on Sunday. Anyone who suspects someone is selling goods is illegally is asked to pass on their concerns to trading standards, police or through Crimestoppers. Mr Watson, who owns Watsons Grocers, said: 'As an organisation, we have significant concerns that an unintended consequence of the ban will be an increase in the illegal sale of vaping products. 'It is harmful is so many ways for illegal and unregulated products to be circulating. 'Our members work incredibly hard to champion responsible community retailing, within the law. Illicit supplies undermine the great work they do. 'With all of that in mind, we are asking people not to buy from illicit sellers and to share any information they have with those responsible for them to the authorities. If they do not have the information, they cannot act against them.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. SGF has issued a special guide to advise its members how to stay on the right side of the new law. It also encourages members to follow Challenge 25 policies to avoid the risk of illegal sales. Information about illicit trade can be passed to Police Scotland by calling 101. Details can be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Trade body urge Glasgow residents to stop illegal vape sales
The Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF) is urging Glasgow residents not to buy illicit vaping products and to report suspected illegal sellers to authorities. The call comes after the UK-wide ban on single-use vapes came into effect on June 1, requiring all stock to be removed from shop shelves. Read more: Single-use vape sales banned in Scotland from June 1 Graham Watson, SGF president and a community convenience store owner, said: "As an organisation, we have significant concerns that an unintended consequence of the ban will be an increase in the illegal sale of vaping products. "It is harmful in so many ways for illegal and unregulated products to be circulating. "Our members work incredibly hard to champion responsible community retailing, within the law. "Illicit supplies undermine the great work they do. "With all of that in mind, we are asking people not to buy from illicit sellers and to share any information they have with those responsible for them to the authorities. "If they do not have the information, they cannot act against them." Read more: 'Don't blame us': Taxis hit back in Glasgow city centre transport row The SGF, which represents convenience store owners across Glasgow and the wider area, has issued new guidance to help its members comply with the updated legislation and avoid unintentional breaches. The guidance also encourages retailers to continue using Challenge 25 policies to prevent illegal sales. It is calling on the public to report suspected illegal vape sales to Police Scotland by calling 101. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Lanarkshire residents urged to help shut down supplies of illegal vapes across region
The Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF) has issued a plea for people who use vaping products not to buy from illicit sellers. Lanarkshire residents are being urged to help shut down supplies of illegal vapes across the region. The Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF) has issued a plea for people who use vaping products not to buy from illicit sellers. And the convenience store trade body, which represents retailers in the region, is urging people to share details of those who they suspect are selling goods illegally to pass on concerns to trading standards, police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. Single-use vapes became outlawed across the United Kingdom on June 1. All stock needed to be immediately removed from shop shelves. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today SGF President Graham Watson, himself a community convenience store owner, said: 'As an organisation, we have significant concerns that an unintended consequence of the ban will be an increase in the illegal sale of vaping products. 'It is harmful in so many ways for illegal and unregulated products to be circulating. 'Our members work incredibly hard to champion responsible community retailing, within the law. Illicit supplies undermine the great work they do. 'With all of that in mind, we are asking people not to buy from illicit sellers and to share any information they have with those responsible for them to the authorities. If they do not have the information, they cannot act against them.' SGF has issued a special guide to advise its members how to stay on the right side of the new law. It also encourages members to follow Challenge 25 policies to avoid the risk of illegal sales. The guidance to retailers from SGF is available here. Information about illicit trade can be passed to Police Scotland by calling 101. Details can be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
West Lothian residents urged to help shut down supplies of illegal vapes across region
The Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF) has issued a plea for people who use vaping products not to buy from illicit sellers. West Lothian residents are being urged to help shut down supplies of illegal vapes across the region. The Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF) has issued a plea for people who use vaping products not to buy from illicit sellers. And the convenience store trade body, which represents retailers in the region, is urging people to share details of those who they suspect are selling goods illegally to pass on concerns to trading standards, police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. Single-use vapes became outlawed across the United Kingdom on June 1. All stock needed to be immediately removed from shop shelves. SGF President Graham Watson, himself a community convenience store owner, said: 'As an organisation, we have significant concerns that an unintended consequence of the ban will be an increase in the illegal sale of vaping products. 'It is harmful in so many ways for illegal and unregulated products to be circulating. 'Our members work incredibly hard to champion responsible community retailing, within the law. Illicit supplies undermine the great work they do. 'With all of that in mind, we are asking people not to buy from illicit sellers and to share any information they have with those responsible for them to the authorities. If they do not have the information, they cannot act against them.' SGF has issued a special guide to advise its members how to stay on the right side of the new law. It also encourages members to follow Challenge 25 policies to avoid the risk of illegal sales. The guidance to retailers from SGF is available here. Information about illicit trade can be passed to Police Scotland by calling 101. Details can be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Target of delivering 50% increase in procedures ‘must be underpinned by NHS staff know-how'
Innovation driven by NHS staff must be key to unlocking Scottish Government aims of delivering a 50% increase in procedures such as vital hip and knee replacements, says a health service partner. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... First Minister John Swinney recently outlined the target through the publication of the Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 as part of a pledge to achieve a total of 150,000 more NHS appointments and procedures, including surgeries and diagnostic tests, by March next year. Mr Swinney said the Programme is about ensuring 'a renewed and stronger NHS' which 'meets the needs of the public'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Formal NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health believes that systematic integration of more innovative approaches has to be particularly key to hitting the 50% increase in procedures, allowing health boards to clear backlogs and improve waiting times. Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson said: 'It is laudable indeed that the First Minister has outlined his vision for an 'innovation nation' to produce what he calls a 'modern, high growth country' – that is an essential aspiration right now. 'At the same time, I believe that delivering his pledge of a 50% increase in surgical procedures must involve leveraging the insights and experience of NHS Scotland innovators in order to maximise results as part of that 'innovation nation'. 'There are many ways in which patient outcomes can now be improved, particularly with a growing array of technologies which can be increasingly deployed – from artificial intelligence for improved screening and virtual hospital wards to software which supports more efficient utilisation of existing operating theatres. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is vital though that we continue to link 'innovation nation' ambitions directly to the many NHS entrepreneurs-in-waiting who are keen to point out where and how the work they deliver could be improved with their own breakthrough thinking. 'Those insightful ideas must be valued, harnessed, and accelerated – and plenty are already in evidence.' The First Minister said that NHS Scotland would be placed 'at the heart' of the legislative and policy agenda for the next parliamentary year and that that the full plans amounted to a 'programme for a better Scotland'. He noted that NHS waiting times had been reduced over the last year and that, across the next 12 months, no one would wait more than a year for surgical treatment with the Government planning to set out 'how we will support people to live longer, healthier and fulfilling lives'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Watson continued: 'It is positive to note that the Scottish Government delivered more than 105,500 NHS appointments and procedures through additional investment between April 2024 and March 2025, representing over 40,000 more than was originally pledged. 'Nevertheless, could greater value be extracted by investing further in NHS Scotland's own wellspring of enthusiastic, driven innovators?
