Latest news with #UK-wide
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Disposable vape users stockpile nine week supply ahead of UK ban tomorrow, survey reveals
As of June 1, a UK-wide ban on disposable vapes will come into effect, making it illegal to sell the throwaway vapes. A survey has revealed that a quarter of disposable vape users have been stockpiling the soon to be outlawed product ahead of the UK-wide ban set to come into effect on June 1. From 1,000 respondents, it was found that users have managed to gather a nine-week supply. According to the survey, over half of users have expressed being worried about the ban, with 38 per cent fearing that they may experience withdrawal symptoms. On top of this, 42 per cent have admitted that they are 'likely' to turn to the black market to purchase vapes once they vanish from stores. The survey also revealed that disposable vape users have been spending an average of £41 per month on the smoking alternative. They are also said to be using up around 13 devices a month, reports the Express. However, not all respondents were in opposition to the ban. While 36 per cent said they were against the new law, 40 per cent revealed they were in support of the decision. The UK government has chosen to ban disposable vapes for two reasons - two deter young people and children from vaping, and to protect the environment. Since the vape ban was announced back in January 2024, 47 per cent of users said they have tried to cut down on their usage of the disposable product before they are removed. However, 15 per cent of people confessed that they were "unsuccessful" in their attempts. A representative for übbs Pouches, who commissioned the research, stated: "For those who use disposable vapes, there's no getting away from it, and while many of those polled have stocked up on supplies in anticipation of the ban, they won't last forever. "For those worried about transitioning away from disposables there are plenty of alternative options which are regulated – but unregulated options should be avoided." With the ban looming closer, many respondents shared that they tried out alternatives to the disposable vapes, including refillable vapes, nicotine gum, nicotine patches and nicotine pouches. Conducted by OnePoll, the survey revealed that the three main factors for people's use of disposable vapes were convenience (61%), flavour variety (53%) and taste (49%). A spokesperson for übbs Pouches added: "The vast majority of disposable vape users have taken steps to move away from throw-away options. "And with a range of viable substitutes legally available, hopefully the ban won't be too much of a shock for them." Once the ban is in place, if suppliers are found breaking the terms of the ban, they can face hefty fines or prison time. In Scotland, local authorities will take the lead on enforcing the ban, while the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are responsible for prosecuting offences under the regulations. When someone is first caught breaking the ban, enforcement officers have the option to issue a fixed penalty notice as an alternative to criminal prosecution. For a first offence the penalty amount will be £200, but this can drop to £150 if it is paid within 14 days. For any offences thereafter, the penalty will increase by £200 each time the supplier is caught. However, if suppliers do not accept the fixed penalty notice, or if the enforcement officer does not consider a fine an appropriate penalty, then the offender can be fined a maximum of £5,000, sentenced to two years in prison, or both. In England and Wales, sanctions such as a stop notice, a compliance notice or a fine of £200 can be applied if someone is found selling or supplying vapes. If the rules are continued to be violated, the offender can be charged with an unlimited fine, an up to two year prison sentence, or both. However, in Northern Ireland there will be no civil actions. Anyone caught breaking the rules could instead receive a fine of up to £5,000 on summary conviction in a magistrates' court. On further conviction, illegal suppliers of disposable vapes could face a prison sentence of up to two years. 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'.
Scotsman
15 hours ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Three ways bedtime stories benefit your child, according to sleep scientist
This timeless bedtime tradition is also backed by science 😴 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... As well as being a great way for parents and children to connect, bedtime stories can really help them One sleep scientist says they can greatly improve sleep quality Nighttime reading can also play a part in helping them process the day and regulate their mood Another of its benefits is a key skill kids will need at school Tucking your child in for a bedtime story can benefit them in all kinds of different ways - many of which last long after the last page has turned. May was National Share-a-Story Month, an annual, UK-wide celebration of storytelling, literacy, and the power of sharing a good story with your child. But just because the month is drawing to a close, that doesn't mean that the storybook has to. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sleep expert Hannah Shore, head of sleep science at online bedding retailer Mattress Online, says bedtime stories can play a big role in supporting children's sleep and wellbeing. But they also have all kinds of other impacts, she said, making them a beneficial part of any family's nighttime routine. Here are a few of the key ways she says they can help your child - at bedtime and beyond: Bedtime stories can do much more than just improve a child's sleep | (Image: National World/Adobe Stock) Three benefits of bedtime stories 1. Better sleep Making a habit of reading a story to your child before bed can help subconsciously give them a cue that it's time to go to sleep, Ms Shore said. 'A bedtime story is the go-to wind-down routine for lots of parents. Tried, tested and passed down through generations,' she continued. 'Having a good wind-down routine before bed allows the body and brain to relax and calm down. This calm time tells the body it should start to get ready for sleep, slowing down that heart rate, bringing that core body temperature down and relaxing the mind - all signals to help prompt the body to start producing sleep hormones, such as melatonin.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad On top of that, there were studies that backed this up. Establishing a calming bedtime routine as early as three months old can improve sleep outcomes later in life, a Sleep Research Society article found. These routines are associated with fewer night-time awakenings, fewer sleep problems, and longer overall sleep durations. In recent years, many were turning to screens at bedtime. But she said this could actually work against the body's natural sleep signals - with blue light from phones and tablets actually suppressing melatonin production, making it harder for children to fall and stay asleep. Children generally need more sleep than adults for healthy growth, the NHS advises, although the exact amount varies by age. This ranges from 11 to 14 hours per day for toddlers, to 9 to 12 hours for six to twelve-year-olds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 2. Emotional regulations Part of what makes bedtime stories such an effective tool for sleep is their role in promoting relaxation and mental wellbeing, the sleep scientist continued. Stories could help children process their day and regulate their emotions - especially as a consistent part of their daily wind-down ritual. One US study even found that 'language-based' bedtime routines like storytelling could lead to a decline in behavioural problems, including anxiety, aggression and social withdrawal. 'In a world of distractions and screen time, the simple ritual of a bedtime story can be incredibly powerful,' Ms Shore continued. 'Not only does it support healthier sleep, but it also strengthens the bond between parent and child, creating a sense of safety and calm that's essential for emotional wellbeing.' 3. Boosting literacy Finally, reading stories regularly has been shown to significantly boost language skills in young children. This includes expanding their vocabulary, improving pronunciation, and even nurturing creativity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Children exposed to consistent bedtime storytelling often demonstrate greater fluency, self-confidence, and academic readiness, another study found. In the UK, children enter Reception as young as four years old. Education experts say having a solid foundation in basic reading and writing skills can help ease their transition significantly. If you have an education story to share, we'd love to hear from you. You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
16 hours ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Three ways bedtime stories benefit your child, according to sleep scientist
This timeless bedtime tradition is also backed by science 😴 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... As well as being a great way for parents and children to connect, bedtime stories can really help them One sleep scientist says they can greatly improve sleep quality Nighttime reading can also play a part in helping them process the day and regulate their mood Another of its benefits is a key skill kids will need at school Tucking your child in for a bedtime story can benefit them in all kinds of different ways - many of which last long after the last page has turned. May was National Share-a-Story Month, an annual, UK-wide celebration of storytelling, literacy, and the power of sharing a good story with your child. But just because the month is drawing to a close, that doesn't mean that the storybook has to. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sleep expert Hannah Shore, head of sleep science at online bedding retailer Mattress Online, says bedtime stories can play a big role in supporting children's sleep and wellbeing. But they also have all kinds of other impacts, she said, making them a beneficial part of any family's nighttime routine. Here are a few of the key ways she says they can help your child - at bedtime and beyond: Bedtime stories can do much more than just improve a child's sleep | (Image: National World/Adobe Stock) Three benefits of bedtime stories 1. Better sleep Making a habit of reading a story to your child before bed can help subconsciously give them a cue that it's time to go to sleep, Ms Shore said. 'A bedtime story is the go-to wind-down routine for lots of parents. Tried, tested and passed down through generations,' she continued. 'Having a good wind-down routine before bed allows the body and brain to relax and calm down. This calm time tells the body it should start to get ready for sleep, slowing down that heart rate, bringing that core body temperature down and relaxing the mind - all signals to help prompt the body to start producing sleep hormones, such as melatonin.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad On top of that, there were studies that backed this up. Establishing a calming bedtime routine as early as three months old can improve sleep outcomes later in life, a Sleep Research Society article found. These routines are associated with fewer night-time awakenings, fewer sleep problems, and longer overall sleep durations. In recent years, many were turning to screens at bedtime. But she said this could actually work against the body's natural sleep signals - with blue light from phones and tablets actually suppressing melatonin production, making it harder for children to fall and stay asleep. Children generally need more sleep than adults for healthy growth, the NHS advises, although the exact amount varies by age. This ranges from 11 to 14 hours per day for toddlers, to 9 to 12 hours for six to twelve-year-olds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 2. Emotional regulations Part of what makes bedtime stories such an effective tool for sleep is their role in promoting relaxation and mental wellbeing, the sleep scientist continued. Stories could help children process their day and regulate their emotions - especially as a consistent part of their daily wind-down ritual. One US study even found that 'language-based' bedtime routines like storytelling could lead to a decline in behavioural problems, including anxiety, aggression and social withdrawal. 'In a world of distractions and screen time, the simple ritual of a bedtime story can be incredibly powerful,' Ms Shore continued. 'Not only does it support healthier sleep, but it also strengthens the bond between parent and child, creating a sense of safety and calm that's essential for emotional wellbeing.' 3. Boosting literacy Finally, reading stories regularly has been shown to significantly boost language skills in young children. This includes expanding their vocabulary, improving pronunciation, and even nurturing creativity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Children exposed to consistent bedtime storytelling often demonstrate greater fluency, self-confidence, and academic readiness, another study found. In the UK, children enter Reception as young as four years old. Education experts say having a solid foundation in basic reading and writing skills can help ease their transition significantly.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The police job that is beyond the stuff of nightmares
David Murray's office has a warning on its door: "Please be aware: child sexual abuse material being viewed in this room." The detective constable spends hours examining pictures and watching videos, the worst of which are beyond the stuff of nightmares. He puts himself through it because he knows the job is important. The father of two young boys admits it takes its toll, yet he wishes he had started the job far earlier in his policing career to make a difference. He says it's worth it, because every week he and his colleagues are identifying young victims, and protecting them from further abuse. Earlier this week, Police Scotland invited BBC Scotland News to witness its work demonstrating the change in offending behaviour since the Covid pandemic, revealing that paedophiles were making direct contact with children online within 30 seconds of trying. David was the first victim identification officer to work with Police Scotland's national child abuse investigation unit. After four years, he now has three colleagues and an ever increasing workload. The unit is conducting 700 inquiries a year and executing 15 to 20 search warrants every week, seizing dozens of devices from the homes of suspects. The job of the victim identification officers is to examine images and footage found on these phones and laptops, to try to find children who've been abused. According to Interpol, online child sexual abuse is one of the rare crime areas where police officers start with the evidence and work their way back to the crime scene. Once images are found, the victim identification specialists take over, combing through the images with the objective of removing the child from harm and arresting the abuser. But their workload is increasing as fast as they can get through them. David says: "Four years ago we were identifying approximately 25 to 30 victims a year. We're doing more than ten times that now." Shockingly, the victims are close to home. "Last year we identified nearly 400 victims and 90% of those children are from Scotland. "When I started, I thought it was a problem that was far away, but it's on our doorstep. It's children in our community." The contents of the devices are uploaded to the UK-wide child abuse image database. If they've been discovered before, they don't have to be viewed again, but if they're new, they're classed as "first generation" images and checked by David and his colleagues. The grim reality of that is that much of the abuse takes place within households where the perpetrator knows the victim. That means devices can include pictures of normal family life, providing a horrifying contrast to the images of abuse and vital information for the detectives. "Essentially we start looking for clues in the pictures as to where this footage was taken, things like plug sockets or bits of clothing, maybe school uniforms and football strips, anything that would perhaps indicate where the child lives," says David. "A lot of our identifications are made from non-indecent images." One victim was recently traced in Glasgow after a detective recognised a water tower in the background of a selfie. Steps are taken to safeguard children who've been identified, in conjunction with outside agencies such as social work. The most extreme images and videos viewed by David and his colleagues plumb the depths of depravity. He agrees they have to switch off their own emotions. Police Scotland monitors the wellbeing of officers in this type of work and there are strict rules to limit how much time they spend looking at the material. They're not allowed to view it in the first or last hour of their shift, and one day a week is spent working from home, catching up on admin and emails. "It's just a case of prioritising and laying out your day," David says. "We start with a briefing every morning and we've got quite a substantial workload, and we just work our way through it the best we can. "There are wellbeing measures in place and talking to counsellors and other people about what you're feeling and seeing can help unlock things." Every week he and his colleagues walk past that warning on their office doors. "We are reviewing footage of something that's already happened to these children," says David. "But when we identify them and put the safeguarding measures in place, that's the most satisfying part of the job. "I used to work in other areas of policing, like serious and organised crime and drug enforcement but I can honestly say that now kind of pales into insignificance. "It doesn't compare to putting measures in place to make a child safe." A soft knock - how police arrest a suspected paedophile
Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Single use vape ban in Scotland to take effect from Sunday amid 'litter emergency'
The Record led the campaign for a crackdown on disposable vapes which littered our streets and got youngsters hooked. Single use vapes will finally be banned in Scotland this weekend in a move that could be transformative for public health and the environment. An estimated 26 million disposable e-cigarettes are thrown away by Scots each year, with more than half not recycled and 10 per cent dumped on the street. The Record joined environmental activists in calling for an end to sale and supply of single use vapes in a bid to clean-up our communities. It's also hoped the ban on throwaway e-cigs - which takes effect from June 1 - will discourage more youngsters getting hooked on the brightly-coloured, sweetly-flavoured vapes and impacting their health. A quarter of 11-15-year-olds have admitted they have tried the devices at least once. The ban on the sale of disposable vapes will apply UK-wide after agreement was reached between Westminster and the devolved governments. SNP ministers announced in February 2024 they would commit to a crackdown in a victory for the Record's campaign. Barry Fisher, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "We first became aware of the impact single-use vapes were having on our environment back in 2022 when members of the public and our volunteers were noticing them more often and asked what could be done. "I'm proud of the effort we have made, alongside our partners, to see this product banned in Scotland – it shows what true collaboration can achieve. "Our surveys and supporters have made it clear that this product was becoming more and more common, spoiling our environment and causing danger to wildlife. "We are dealing with a litter emergency and the last thing we need is single-use products coming to market that can end up discarded harming our environment. "This ban will help remove the fastest growing litter item from our streets, parks and beaches and is a welcome step in the right direction, but everyone must dispose of their waste in the correct way." ASH Scotland, which campaigns against the harms caused by tobacco products, said there had been an "alarming" upsurge in vaping among children. Sheila Duffy, the charity's chief executive, said: "We celebrate the ban of cheap recreational disposable e-cigarettes, which are the starter vaping product for most youngsters who vape, as a vital first step towards halting the alarming upsurge of children vaping in Scotland during the last few years. "Although we warmly welcome these regulations coming into effect, government must take further, stronger actions to restrict the advertising and promotion of all e-cigarettes as well as banning vape flavours, colours, descriptors and branding on device designs and packaging to reduce the attractiveness of the products to children. "The tobacco and nicotine industries must be halted in their attempts to attract children to use their addictive and health harming products, generating huge profits at a considerable cost to the health of our young people now and future generations."
