Vape shops are a ticking time bomb - we need to take action
Summary
A recent fire in Glasgow, sparked by a vape shop containing lithium-ion batteries, destroyed a historic building and numerous businesses. The author argues this incident should serve as a wake-up call, drawing parallels to the Glasgow School of Art fires and the need for comprehensive safety reform. The shop was reportedly operating without proper registration and may have been avoiding business rates. The author calls for mandatory licensing for vape shops, stricter fire-safety regulations, proper battery storage, regular inspections, and a change in planning law to classify vape retail as high-risk. They also emphasize the need for adequately resourced trading standards and licensing teams to prevent future tragedies and protect public safety.
(Source:Metro)