Vaping could be banned within 15m of Scots schools if smoke-free zones are extended to include playgrounds as well as hospitals.
SNP ministers are considering how to apply the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 which handed Holyrood beefed-up powers to crackdown on vape use in public areas.
The landmark legislation was passed UK-wide, with prior agreement from Holyrood, and aims to create a “smoke-free” generation by banning children born after 2009 from buying tobacco.
Scottish Labour is pushing for the strict smoke-free zones seen outside NHS hospitals and clinics to now cover schools and nurseries.
Jackie Baillie, the party’s health spokeswoman, said: “Kids should be able to play safely and breathe fresh, clean air at school. The SNP Government must look at how it can use the powers it has to protect kids’ health and make the areas around schools and playgrounds smoke-free.”
NHS hospitals already operate strict 100 per cent smoke-free policies that mean smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes are completely banned inside all hospital buildings, grounds, car parks, and vehicles.
The rules were toughened up in 2022 when the Scottish Government introduced a law making it an offence to smoke within 15 metres of an NHS hospital building.
Under the rules, anyone who smokes in the perimeter area can face a £50 on-the-spot penalty, which is reduced to £30 if prompt payment is made.
It is not known if such an approach would be also be applied to school playgrounds but there is support for stronger smoke-free regulations.
Increasing numbers of teenagers are now regularly using e-cigarettes despite a ban on single-use vapes being introduced last year.
A recent study by the University of Stirling found pupils’ use of vapes negatively affected attendance and behaviour.
Pupils reported leaving lessons and missing classes to vape, contributing to truancy and disruption.
Staff warned some young people were showing signs of nicotine addiction, with teachers spending considerable time and resources responding to the issue, including patrolling school grounds and toilets.
Maree Todd, Public Health Minister, said: “The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 provides us with powers to expand existing smoke free spaces, as well as create vape free spaces and heated tobacco free spaces.
“These powers support the implementation of our Tobacco and Vaping Framework Place based actions, and we are considering how we will use the powers, ensuring action is both evidence based and proportionate.
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“Any action will be subject to consultation and I will update Parliament with the next steps in due course.”