East Ayrshire councillors backed a motion calling on the Scottish Government to ban single-use vapes.

Labour councillor John McGhee tabled the motion at the final full council meeting before recess last week, asking that "East Ayrshire supports the ban of single use disposable vapes".

All members supported the call with the exception of Cumnock and New Cumnock councillor, Neill Watts.

The main issues surrounding the vapes were said to be the environmental impact of them being disposed of irresponsibly and the health impact it can have on youngsters.

Members cited concerns about the culture that is leading to youngsters vaping when they haven't even smoked, which is claimed to defeat the purpose of vapes that were made to stop smoking.

In the last year, East Ayrshire trading standards officials are said to have have seized almost 500 non-compliant single-use vapes.

Cllr McGhee said: "We’re simply asking that East Ayrshire Council support the ban of production, import and sale of single-use disposable vapes.

"This is not an attack on vaping itself, which can be a successful method to aid in the cessation of smoking.

"Vaping exposes users to some toxins and we do not yet know what the risks might be in the longer term.

"This real concern for young people should have us supporting this motion."

Cllr Freel, who seconded the motion, added: "While John [Cllr McGhee] rightly expresses a concern over the health of our young people, there’s also a growing concern for the environment.

"The littering of these items contributes to the ongoing decline in local environmental quality across communities and neighbourhoods throughout Scotland.

"In seconding John’s motion, I would that add that some vapes contain nicotine which is an addictive substance, and hard to stop once you have started."

Cllr Watts moved an amendment to be against motion.

Cllr Watts said: "I do share the concerns with the littering and I do share concerns with the health implications.

"However, as a smoker myself and not as a smoker who is looking to give up and looking at the civil liberties of this, I personally - and I stress personally - I cannot support this motion."

With council supporting the motion, a letter is to be prepared from Chief Executive, Eddie Fraser, to indicate that the council is looking to the Scottish Government, as the legislator, to pass the necessary laws that would ban the use of these by effectively prohibiting their production, sale or importation.

The overall decision of banning the single-use vapes would come down to the Scottish Government.