Safety concerns have been raised after complaints of people vaping on buses across Ayrshire.

One regular traveller claimed that bus drivers were ignoring the growing use of the e-cigarette devices on publlic transport.

And he claimed he was left "rasping" after one journey where a number of teenagers sparked up the devices, with bus drivers failing to take action.

The man, who did not wish to be named said: "It has happened on a journey between Ayr and Cumnock, as well as one from Kilmarnock to Ardrossan in recent weeks, and another service to Stevenston as well.

"It is a major health issue."

However bus company Stagecoach said their vehicles were clearly signed so everyone knew smoking or vaping was not allowed. .

They urged anyone who spotted vapes being uses on their buses to speak to their driver.

The bus user who contacted us lives in Ayr, but uses public transport all over the county.

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He said: "Last week, I left on the 9.40 from Cumnock bus station travelling to Ayr. It was the usual thing of people vaping on the bus.

"It is usually kids who all have free bus passes, but it is not just them. Plenty of adults do it too.

 “The fumes were just too much for me and I have been coughing since. I still have a raspy throat because of it."

He added: “People at both the front and the back of the buses are vaping day and night. And it is all over Ayrshire.

"I saw it when I travelled from Ayr to Ardrossan recently. It really is a danger to people’s health

“Smoking is banned, obviously but I don’t know why people think vaping on public transport is okay.

“I have said to a number of drivers, but they do nothing. And you can’t blame the drivers.

"For obvious reasons, they don’t seem to want to get out of their cabs and confront people, and I understand that, because their safety could be at risk.

“But it is not fair on most of the passengers. I am really angry because I need to use the buses.

"The Government are trying to get us to use more public transport, but this certainly isn’t helping.”

He said he had been bothered by people vaping on the number 11 Stagecoach bus between Ardrossan and Kilmarnock, the Cumnock to Ayr bus, and the number 18 bus to Hayocks in Stevenston.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach West Scotland said:  “The safety and comfort of our customers and employees is our primary concern.

"Our conditions of carriage clearly prohibit smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products on our vehicles. All vehicles are clearly signed to reinforce this.

"Passengers experiencing any issues on the bus should first report them to the driver. Our drivers are trained to handle on-bus situations safely, with clear procedures to follow at all times.

"If a passenger is not satisfied with the driver's response to the situation, we would ask them to contact our customer service team at 0345 241 8000 so that the incident can be investigated further.

"The vast majority of our customers travel on our services in a manner that complies with our terms of carriage, ensuring a comfortable experience for all.”