VPZ welcomes Glasgow City Council push for stronger vape shop regulation

Jamie Strachan, operations director at VPZ | The Vaping Specialist, said: “We welcome the proactive steps being taken by Glasgow City Council to review and strengthen the regulation of vape retail following the devastating Union Street fire.

“The incident, which is believed to have originated in a vape shop and led to the destruction of a historic building and widespread disruption across the city, has highlighted serious concerns around compliance, safety standards and enforcement within parts of the sector.

“For many years, VPZ has consistently called for clearer, stronger and better-enforced regulation across the vaping industry.

“We believe that robust standards are essential to protect consumers, support responsible retailers, and ensure that unsafe or non-compliant operators are removed from the market.

“The discussions now taking place at council level are a positive and necessary step forward.

“Greater oversight – particularly around licensing, product compliance, and safety protocols such as battery handling and storage – will help create a safer and more accountable retail environment.

“We are keen to work closely with Glasgow City Council to help shape these proposed regulations, sharing our experience and expertise to ensure that any new framework is practical, effective, and raises standards across the industry.

“As a responsible retailer, VPZ already operates to strict internal standards, including comprehensive staff training, formal fire risk assessments, and rigorous procedures for the safe storage, charging and disposal of lithium-ion batteries.

“We also continue to engage proactively with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to ensure our processes reflect the latest safety guidance.

“We remain committed to working collaboratively with local authorities and regulators to support sensible, effective regulation that protects communities while enabling responsible businesses to thrive.

“This is an important moment for the industry, and we fully support measures that raise standards and deliver greater accountability across the sector.”