Vapes should be sold behind the counter like cigarettes and all flavours except tobacco should be banned, according to a union, as recent statistics show that 5.6 million adults in Britain use e-cigarettes.
In a report published today, the British Medical Association (BMA) urged ministers to introduce legislation to fight the ‘growing epidemic’ of vaping.
The number of e-cigarette users has grown from around 800,000 in 2012 to 5.6 million in 2024, according to statistics published by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). Current vaping among 11-17-year-olds, which includes vaping less than once a month, is at 7.2%.
Recommendations include:
- Government education campaigns for the public on the dangers of vapes to reduce appeal, especially among children and young people
- Banning the commercial sale of all disposable vapes, on the grounds of disproportionate and harmful use by children and young people and their adverse impact on the environment
- Banning all non-tobacco vape flavours
- Prohibiting the use of all imagery, colouring and branding for both the packaging and vape device, similar to current restrictions on cigarettes
- Further restrictions on all advertising and marketing; and ensure vapes are kept behind the counter and not on display in shops and retail outlets.
‘An industry so obviously targeting children with colours, flavours and branding, to push a product that can lead to nicotine addiction and potential further harms cannot be allowed to happen any longer.’
Professor David Strain
Chair of the BMA’s board of science
The previous Conservative government introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill earlier this year which set out proposals around regulating the sale of vapes. However, this was not carried forward into the new parliamentary session.
The new Labour government re-introduced a bill aimed at tackling smoking and youth vaping during the King’s Speech in July, but so far there are no details of any measures that will be taken.
Increase in vape use
Professor David Strain, chair of the BMA’s board of science, said: ‘There is no denying we are living in a vaping epidemic. Vape usage has risen hugely in the last decade, with one in 10 adults now vaping.
‘However, far more worrying, is the increase in young people who vape, with almost six times more 11-17-year-olds vaping now compared with 10 years ago.
‘As a doctor, I understand the role vapes can play in helping people to stop smoking, but they have no rightful place in our children and young people’s lives and when it comes to protecting their health, we cannot afford to gamble.
‘An industry so obviously targeting children with colours, flavours and branding, to push a product that can lead to nicotine addiction and potential further harms cannot be allowed to happen any longer.
‘And with two vapes thrown away every second in the UK, the environmental impact of this epidemic is disastrous.’
Dr Penelope Toff, chair of the BMA’s public health medicine committee, added: ‘The last government made significant progress putting forward a bill that included a ban on disposable vapes, and plans to regulate flavours and marketing. This new government must now ensure these measures are carried through into legislation – and it would do well to go even further.
‘We are calling on ministers to take bold and brave actions that will make a real difference, like banning all vape flavours other than tobacco.’
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