Scotland's vape capital - what's behind the boom?
Greenock, Scotland, has become a vape capital due to high demand and low barriers to entry, sparking debate over its impact on the community and public health.Summary
Sofy Saleem, a hardware shop owner in Greenock, has shifted his business to focus on vaping, which now accounts for the majority of his sales. This trend is not unique to Greenock; data from the University of Edinburgh reveals a significant increase in vape retailers across Scotland, particularly in deprived areas. Greenock, the most deprived town in the country, has the highest density of vape shops per capita. While some residents welcome the economic activity, others criticize the town's high street for lacking quality shops and worry about the normalization of vaping, especially among children. Experts warn of the long-term health implications and call for a licensing regime similar to alcohol sales to regulate the industry. Despite recent legislative tightening, the profitability of vapes continues to drive the expansion of retail outlets.
(Source：Yahoo! News)
