Fife Council reminds 500 vape shops of responsibilities after devastating Glasgow fire
More than 500 businesses registered to sell vapes in Fife have been written to and reminded of their responsibilities following the devastating fire in Glasgow.
The blaze began in a vape shop on the city’s Union Street on March 8 and spread through the historic landmark building, destroying many businesses and forcing the nearby Glasgow Central railway station to temporarily close.
Responding to the event, Fife Council has sent out an email to all 528 retailers who sell vapes across the Kingdom.
Dawn Adamson, trading standards service manager, said: “ It was just a reminder about storing their stock safely because of the lithium batteries that are in the vapes. We have reminded them to make sure their fire risk assessment is up to date.
“It is reminding them about making sure the staff are aware of safe handling and storage, to remind them about storage and, if they do not have a fire safety risk assessment in place, to get advice from an appropriate person for that.”
Vape sellers are currently required to register with the Scottish Government but there is no licence scheme.
There are currently 528 businesses registered to sell vapes across Fife which would include supermarkets, smaller shops and vape shops.
Dawn explained: “If a business wants to sell vapes, they have to register with the Scottish Government. It doesn’t cost anything - it is not a licence, it is a registration, but if is an offence for them not to be registered.
“Once registered, we get a notification from the Scottish Government that lets us know who is registered and who is selling them. Routinely, we will provide advice to shop selling vapes and tobacco. Part of this can be making sure they are registered, and that they have got the appropriate signage.”