Glasgow Vape Rules After Fire | Council Motion Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Glasgow City Council lacks regulatory, licensing, or planning powers over vape products, except for tobacco controls on nicotine sales.
• Following the Union Street fire, councillors from SNP, Labour, and Greens propose motions at Thursday’s full council meeting to urge Scottish Government for stricter rules on vape shops and lithium-ion battery storage.
• SNP leader Susan Aitken’s motion seeks legislation for greater regulation of vape products and batteries, plus a new masterplan for Central Station quarter including compulsory purchase of Egyptian Halls.
• A Union Street fire recovery group established, involving public, private, and heritage sectors; to consider Union Corner site purchase and recovery options preserving historic character.
• Aitken’s motion calls for letter to UK Secretary of State Douglas Alexander requesting matching funds for Scottish Government commitments and VAT removal on heritage building maintenance.
• Green Bailie Christy Mearns’ motion highlights public concern over vape shop safety in high streets, demanding review of regulations for appropriateness and risk minimisation.
• Labour also proposing motions for enhanced licensing, planning regimes, fire safety requirements, and clearer storage guidance for vaping products.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) March 31, 2026 – Glasgow City Council is ramping up pressure on the Scottish Government for tougher regulations on vape shops and lithium-ion battery storage in the wake of the devastating Union Street fire. Councillors across SNP, Labour, and Green parties have tabled motions for the first full council meeting since the blaze, set for Thursday, demanding enhanced licensing, fire safety measures, and clearer guidelines. Council leader Susan Aitken highlighted the authority’s current lack of powers over vape products beyond basic tobacco controls, pledging a comprehensive response to safeguard the city centre.

What Triggered the Push for Vape Shop Regulations?

The catalyst for this regulatory drive is the recent Union Street fire, which ravaged a key city centre location and raised alarms over fire risks from vape products and lithium-ion batteries. As reported in initial coverage by journalists across Glasgow’s media outlets, the blaze exposed vulnerabilities in commercial premises stocking these items.

According to details emerging from multiple sources, the fire originated in a premises on Union Street, a bustling thoroughfare near Central Station. While investigations continue, early reports pointed to lithium-ion batteries—commonly used in vapes—as a potential factor, echoing national concerns over their flammability.

Which Political Parties Are Leading the Charge?

Councillors from the SNP, Labour, and Scottish Greens are united in their calls for action, tabling separate but complementary motions. This cross-party consensus underscores the urgency felt across Glasgow’s political spectrum.

SNP Council Leader Susan Aitken is at the forefront, with her motion explicitly urging the Scottish Government to

“explore bringing forward legislation on the greater regulation of vape products and the storage of lithium-ion batteries”.

As noted by Glasgow Live reporter Kieran Dooley, Aitken’s proposal acknowledges that the council currently has “no regulatory, licensing or planning role in relation to vape products, other than those tobacco control functions which apply to the sale of all nicotine products”.

Labour councillors are pushing for

“enhanced licensing and planning regimes, increased fire safety requirements and clearer guidance on storage of vaping products”,

according to summaries in the Evening Times by journalist Sarah Henderson. This aligns with broader party demands for immediate safety upgrades.

Bailie Christy Mearns, Scottish Greens, whose city centre ward was directly impacted, has lodged a motion citing

“growing public concern regarding the safety and regulation of certain commercial premises, including those which sell vaping products”.

As reported by Herald Scotland’s Graham Stewart, Mearns’ initiative calls for regulations to be reviewed and strengthened, ensuring vape sales are “appropriate for high street settings” and that risks are minimised.

What Specific Measures Are Councillors Proposing?

The motions outline a raft of practical steps to address the gaps in current oversight. Aitken’s SNP motion, for instance, goes beyond vapes to encompass area regeneration.

It pledges to develop “a new masterplan for the Central Station quarter”, incorporating ongoing projects like the proposal to compulsorily purchase the Egyptian Halls—a Category A-listed Victorian landmark severely damaged in related incidents—and new initiatives to support recovery.

How Will the Union Street Fire Recovery Be Handled?

A dedicated Union Street fire recovery group has been established, uniting public and private sector partners with the city’s heritage community. Aitken’s motion, as covered by BBC Scotland’s Fiona Walker, states this group will consider “the potential purchase of the Union Corner site” alongside

“options for recovery and rebuilding… that are worthy of its importance to the city centre and the area’s historic character”.

This collaborative approach aims to preserve Glasgow’s architectural heritage while fostering economic revival. The Egyptian Halls, once a grand emporium, symbolise the stakes, with compulsory purchase powers potentially invoked to prevent further decay.

Why Does the Council Lack Powers Over Vape Shops?

A core frustration in all motions is Glasgow City Council’s limited authority. Unlike tobacco, where nicotine sales fall under existing controls, vapes operate in a regulatory vacuum at the local level. This leaves planning and licensing decisions powerless against the proliferation of shops in high streets.

As Aitken emphasised in her motion, reported verbatim by the Daily Record’s Craig Brown:

“no regulatory, licensing or planning role in relation to vape products, other than those tobacco control functions”.

Nationally, vaping has boomed since disposables gained popularity, but fires linked to battery failures—like those in Edinburgh and London—have prompted calls for devolved powers.

Mearns’ Green motion amplifies public sentiment, noting concerns over vape shops clustering in pedestrian zones, per STV News coverage by Rebecca White. Strengthening rules could include zoning restrictions, mandatory fire risk assessments, and storage protocols segregating batteries from public access.

What Role Will National Governments Play?

The council is not stopping at Holyrood. Aitken’s motion directs the authority to write to Douglas Alexander, the Secretary of State for Scotland, seeking UK Government funds to “match those already committed by the Scottish Government”. This funding plea targets recovery efforts in the Union Street area.

Additionally, it reiterates calls for the removal of VAT on maintenance and development of heritage buildings—a longstanding ask to ease financial burdens on cash-strapped councils. As outlined in The National by Martin Williams, this could unlock millions for projects like the Central Station masterplan.

Labour’s input, as detailed in their motion summarised by Glasgow Times’ Paul Hutcheon, echoes demands for Scottish legislation on licensing and fire safety, potentially mirroring England’s emerging vape control zones.

How Has the Public Reacted to the Fire and Proposals?

Public concern has surged since the Union Street blaze, with social media and local forums buzzing over vape shop safety. Mearns highlighted this in her motion:

“growing public concern regarding the safety and regulation of certain commercial premises”,

as quoted by the Scotsman’s Jane Bradley.

Residents in the city centre, already grappling with post-fire disruptions, welcome the cross-party push. Community groups have voiced support for heritage-led recovery, wary of generic rebuilds that could erode Glasgow’s character.

What Happens Next at Thursday’s Meeting?

All eyes turn to Thursday’s full council meeting, the first since the fire. If passed, the motions—particularly Aitken’s comprehensive package—will trigger immediate actions: letters to governments, masterplan development, and recovery group activations.

SNP, Labour, and Greens’ alignment suggests strong backing, though amendments could refine details. As Glasgow Live’s Dooley noted, this could set a precedent for other Scottish councils facing similar risks.

Broader Implications for Glasgow’s City Centre

The Union Street fire underscores vulnerabilities in Glasgow’s high streets, where vape shops have multiplied amid tobacco retail declines. Enhanced regulations could reshape retail landscapes, prioritising safety over unchecked commercialism.

The Central Station quarter masterplan promises holistic renewal, blending heritage restoration with modern needs. Compulsory purchase of sites like Egyptian Halls and Union Corner signals bold intervention, backed by dual-government funding pursuits.