Ministers will close a loophole allowing retailers to give free samples of vapes to children in England as part of a crackdown on the “unacceptable” marketing of vape products to under-18s.
The move comes just days after the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak used an appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain to express concern about his own daughters potentially being targeted by vape marketing.
NHS statistics for 2021 showed that 9 per cent of 11 to 15 year old children used e-cigarettes, up from 6 per cent in 2018. There is growing concern that firms are targeting children through cheap, colourful vape products.
The Government said that there will also be a review into banning retailers selling “nicotine-free” vapes to under-18s.
There will also be a review of the rules on issuing fines to shops that illegally sell vapes to children, which the Government said could make it easier for local trading standards officials to issue on-the-spot fines and fixed penalty notices.
Mr Sunak said he was “deeply concerned” about an increase in children vaping and was “shocked by reports of illicit vapes containing lead getting into the hands of schoolchildren”.
“Our new illicit vape enforcement squad – backed by £3 million – is on the case but clearly there is more to do.
“That is why I am taking further action today to clamp down on rogue firms who unlawfully target our children with these products.
“The marketing and the illegal sales of vapes to children is completely unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to end this practice for good.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty called the decision to close the loophole a “very welcome step”.
“Whilst vaping can be an effective quitting tool for smokers, it is important that non-smokers are not encouraged to start vaping,” he said.
“There has been a particularly worrying rise in the number of children using vapes, with companies clearly marketing these products at children using colours, flavours and cheap disposable options.
“Closing the loophole that allows companies to give out free samples of vaping products to under-18s is a very welcome step in tackling some of the harms caused by the vaping industry.
“We should continue to encourage smokers to swap to vaping as the lesser risk, whilst preventing the marketing and sale of vapes to children.”
Dedicated police school liaison officers across the country will also use new resources to keep illegal vapes out of schools.
It follows the creation of the “illicit vapes enforcement squad” earlier this year.
Health minister Neil O’Brien called any marketing of vaping products to children “shameful”.
He said the Government would “review the rules on issuing on-the-spot fines to shops that break the law by selling vapes to underage youngsters, and look into banning the sale of nicotine-free vapes to under-18s – which we know can be a gateway to using nicotine products”.
Wes Streeting, Labour’s shadow health secretary, called the announcement a “baby step”.
“We have to act now to stop a new generation of kids getting hooked on nicotine,” the Labour MP said.
“But the Conservatives voted down Labour’s plan to ban the marketing of vapes to children. This new announcement is a baby step when we need urgent action now.
“The next Labour government will come down like a tonne of bricks on those pushing vapes to kids.”
