29 January 2024 , 18:27
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Kids will be stopped from getting their hands on cheap throwaway vapes from abroad as part of a drive to stop them getting hooked
Ministers are looking at introducing an import ban to prevent youngsters being able to get around a clampdown by stocking up on disposable e-cigarettes from foreign websites. Single-use vapes will be completely banned from early next year because of concerns they make it easier for children to pick up the habit.
As part of the crackdown, shopkeepers will be slapped with £100 fines if they sell vapes to kids. Ministers are also pushing ahead with plans to restrict the flavour of vapes that can be sold even though the public is split on the idea. The results of a public consultation published today showed that of the 27,921 people who responded, 47% agreed with limiting flavours but 51% disagreed.
There was also a division between those who thought that tobacco should be the only flavour available and those who believed there should be four options - tobacco, mint, menthol and fruits. Further consultation will take place before a final decision is made.
The Government has set out more details of its plans to gradually raise the legal age you can buy tobacco so anyone who turns 15 this year will never be allowed to purchase fags. Rules making it illegal to buy cigarettes for someone under-age will be kept in place even when the legal age has risen much higher than the current 18.
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Ministers have not decided whether to introduce a new vaping tax, which could see liquid refills increase in price by around a quarter. They said they believe there is “a strong case to take action to reduce the affordability of vapes and are continuing to consider options, including a new duty, to achieve this”.
Headteachers welcomed the clampdown on youth vaping. Sarah Hannafin of the NAHT said: “It is worrying how vaping is becoming normalised for some young people. Our members have reported having to deal with incidents of vaping on school grounds and in school buildings… The measures announced are a step in the right direction to prevent under-18s getting vaping products in the first place, whether they are buying them themselves or getting adults to purchase them on their behalf.”
Teachers have raised concerns about how kids are vaping in school toilets, with fire alarms regularly interrupting classes. During a school visit today, teenagers told Rishi Sunak the problem of vaping was getting worse.
The PM went to Haughton Academy in Darlington to talk about the proposals to make e-cigarettes less attractive to children. He spoke to year nine pupils, aged 13 and 14, who were learning about the issue in their personal development class. One girl told Mr Sunak: "It's getting worse." She said vapes were being marketed at children, with colourful packaging.
Mr Sunak replied: "There's no reason why kids should be doing it." A boy told him: "We don't know what the long-term effects (of vaping) could be." The Prime Minister agreed, saying: "They are new and we just don't know the long-term effects."