Latest news with #ZubirAhmed
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Disposables vapes ban 'could be as profound for public health as smoking ban'
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Glasgow MP Zubir Ahmed claims today's ban on sale and supply of single-use vapes will have 'material impact' on teen vaping rates. A surgeon-turned-MP has declared that today's disposable vapes ban could have as profound an impact on public health as the 2006 indoor smoking ban. From today, the sale and supply of single-use vapes is prohibited by law with shops facing £5000 fines and potentially up to two years in jail if they flout the rules. Labour MP Zubir Ahmed has said he believes the move will quickly have a 'material impact' on Scotland's teen vaping epidemic – with a quarter of 15-year-olds currently hooked on the nicotine-based gadgets. Glasgow South West MP Ahmed, a transplant specialist who worked in the NHS for 20 years, said: 'I feel like this is of a magnitude of when the smoking ban came in in 2006 in Scotland. 'There was lots of umming and ahhing about whether people would comply – but in the end, they did, because that's what people in Scotland and Britain do. They're generally law-abiding, good people that obey the law.' In the year following the ban on smoking in indoor places, the number of hospital admissions linked to smoking plummeted. Since then, youth smoking rates have fallen to historic lows. But the rise in teen vaping – with candy-flavoured e-cigs like Gummy Bear and Cotton Candy being cynically marketed at kids – has raised fears of a new generation being hooked on nicotine. Ahmed said: 'I think the ban will have a material impact immediately on youth vaping – but more importantly, for a lot of these kids, vapes can be a bridge into smoking and I think we'll finally break that link as well.' It comes as the ban sparked scenes of panic-buying as stores and online retailers tried to shift their stocks at bargain prices. Refillable vapes will still be available after today however tens of thousands of Scots are thought to have been stockpiling their favourite disposable vape flavours. Of Scotland's estimated 150,000 users of disposable vapes, around a quarter (27 per cent) have been stashing up to nine weeks' worth, a recent OnePoll survey suggests. There were reports of shops offering single-use vapes at 'everything must go'-style discount prices. One Spar store in Alloa told LBC Radio of a buying frenzy after they cut prices to three boxes of vapes for £30 – which with 10 vapes per box, works out at £1 each. It comes amid warnings that despite the landmark ban, the environmental toll of single-use vapes – which are difficult to recycle and contain critical materials like lithium batteries – will continue to be felt. In the UK, an estimated 8.2million vapes are thrown away or littered every week – or 13 vapes per second – according to Material Focus. Scott Butler of the anti-waste group said: 'The threat of a 'vapocalypse' remains and new big puff and pod vape models are already contributing to an environmental nightmare.' Gillian Martin, Scotland's acting Net Zero Secretary, said: 'Scotland was the first nation in the UK to commit to taking action on single-use vapes. 'This change to the law fulfils a Programme for Government commitment and will help tackle the threat that single-use vapes pose to our environment as well as to our public health.' 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. Meanwhile, self-styled sustainable vaping firm Riot Labs have produced data this week suggesting more than a quarter of a million Scots are hoarding used disposable vapes in cupboards, drawers, pockets and cars as they're unsure how to dispose of them. They've teamed up with Scots eco campaigner Laura Young - who spearheaded the grassroots campaign to ban the devices in the UK - to tell users what to do with their old e-cigs. Their advice includes using online tools like Recycle Your Electricals to find your nearest drop-off point for old disposables, not trying to dismantle vapes yourself, and not sticking them in the regular bin where the batteries pose a fire hazard. Laura said: "Disposable vapes are the poster child of wasteful design, packed with precious materials, designed to be used once, then tossed. This ban is a vital victory for our environment and a wake-up call to the industry. "We cannot continue normalising single-use electronics that pollute our streets, endanger our health, and waste critical resources like lithium. "With the UK Government now taking decisive action, it's time to clear out our drawers, recycle properly, and use this moment as a blueprint to challenge other throwaway products."
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Man charged after entering Glasgow hospital 'armed with crossbow'
The 29-year-old is due to appear in at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday. A man has been charged after entering a Glasgow hospital carrying a crossbow. The terrifying incident unfolded at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital at 6.30am on Friday, May 23. Police, including firearms officers, raced to the scene. The incident took place in the hospital's atrium, which was briefly sealed off as it was dealt with. The weapon was not discharged, and no injuries were reported. A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection while an investigation began. Police have now confirmed he has been charged and is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday. Health board NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said their security teams handled the incident before officers arrived on scene. Dr Zubir Ahmed, the Scottish Labour MP for Glasgow South West, who is also an NHS transplant surgeon, shared his reaction to the situation on social media. He wrote: "I was upset to learn of the incident at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital this morning and the distress that this has caused to my colleagues and constituents. "I have been reassured by the police that the situation has been dealt with and that there is no ongoing risk to the public and patients. 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. "My sincere thanks go to local staff and emergency responders for their swift and professional response." A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said on Friday: "We can confirm we supported police with an incident in the atrium of the QEUH this morning. "The atrium was closed for a short time while this was dealt with, and traffic around the hospital was temporarily diverted. "There was no disruption to any of our services and the hospital is now open as normal. "We would like to thank our security teams for their handling of this incident before officers arrived." Police Scotland said on Sunday: "A 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged following a report of a person entering the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow with a crossbow. "The incident happened around 6.30am on Friday, 23 May. "The man is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, 26 May, 2025."
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Daily Record
Cops pictured at scene of Glasgow crossbow incident after man stormed hospital
A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the early-morning incident. A significant police presence was seen at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after a man armed with a crossbow entered the building earlier this morning. The force first received reports at around 6.30am on Friday, May 23, and dispatched officers, including specialist firearms officers. The incident took place in the hospital's atrium, which was briefly sealed off as it was dealt with. The weapon was not discharged and nobody was injured. A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection, and an investigation is underway. Several police vehicles were pictured outside the hospital in Govan, with uniformed officers seen preparing to leave the site after the incident had been dealt with. Some were seen to be apparently returning equipment to their vehicles, which were parked in front of the hospital's vast main building. Traffic around the site was briefly diverted, but has since returned to normal. Police Scotland have also reassured there is no risk to the wider public. Inspector Alyssa Fullelove-McCann said: 'I'm aware this incident will be concerning but I'd like to provide reassurance that it is being treated as isolated and there is no ongoing risk to the public. 'Officers will remain in the area while enquiries are carried out and anyone with concerns or information can speak to them or call 101.' Health board NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which runs the hospital, confirmed it had assisted the force with the incident and that everything was now running as normal. A spokesperson added: "We would like to thank our security teams for their handling of this incident before officers arrived." 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. Dr Zubir Ahmed, the Scottish Labour MP for Glasgow South West, who is also an NHS transplant surgeon, later shared his reaction to the situation on social media. He wrote: "I was upset to learn of the incident at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital this morning and the distress that this has caused to my colleagues and constituents. "I have been reassured by the police that the situation has been dealt with and that there is no ongoing risk to the public and patients. "My sincere thanks go to local staff and emergency responders for their swift and professional response."
