Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government continues to monitor data on the prevalence of e-cigarette use in both adults and young people through the Scottish Health Survey and Scottish Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey. We work closely with Scotland's research community to ensure our policies are based on best evidence on the health impacts of e-cigarettes.

The Scottish Government is of the view that the health implications from passively inhaling vapour from e-cigarettes are significantly lower than those from traditional cigarettes. However e-cigarettes are not risk free. More research is required to determine the long-term health consequences of exposure to e-cigarette vapour.

Research and analysis on e-cigarettes is being conducted on a global scale but there is a lack of data on the long-term impacts of use. The Scottish Government commissioned research and analysis which explored awareness, experiences and attitudes towards e-cigarettes among young adults aged 16 - 25. The research was conducted between October 2015 and February 2016.

The Scottish Government is in regular discussions with its agencies, health and medical organisations as well as third sector bodies with health and industry interests on all aspects relating to e-cigarettes.

The Scottish Government considers that e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes and recognises the role that e-cigarettes can play in helping some smokers quit.

In line with the Scottish Government’s evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas, only boreholes to extract core samples are not included in the moratorium. Boreholes for test fracking or hydrocarbon flow testing are prohibited under the terms of the moratorium. Core sampling allows analysis of data including stratigraphy and rock properties.

Any proposal for a borehole would also need to demonstrate that it will be undertaken in collaboration with an independent research body (such as the British Geological Survey) or academic institution.

A company seeking to drill a borehole to acquire a core sample would also need to obtain all the necessary regulatory consents. These would include planning permission from the relevant planning authority and an environmental permit from SEPA. It would then be for regulators to determine whether or not the site is acceptable and whether drilling should be allowed.

The information requested is not held centrally.

In December 2015 Scottish Government published the Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care (SFA) which sets out a range of commitments to help achieve our vision that by 2021 everyone who needs palliative and end of life care will have access to it.

One of the commitments set out in the SFA is to support the workforce by commissioning NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council to develop a new palliative and end of life care Educational Framework.

The scope of the framework will include all workers in health and social care across public, third and independent sectors, including GPs, who may be involved or come in contact with people with palliative care needs, their families and carers.

The information requested is not held centrally.

This is a matter for individual employers.

Scottish Government is supporting Scottish Care with their front-line worker project, which includes workers from both the private and voluntary sectors. Part of the programme of work will look at the emotional, personal and physical welling of staff.