Full list of 7 major vaping changes proposed under new plans – from outright ban to axed flavours and new tax
VAPING in Britain is set to face a major overhaul under a Government crackdown.
Ministers are proposing a host of new measures to reduce how many young people are drawn to e-cigarettes.
They aim to prevent people who have never smoked from getting hooked on the devices, while still helping current smokers to switch to them.
One in ten children aged 11 to 15 use e-cigs, NHS figures show — even though selling them to under-18s is illegal.
Changes would include restricting flavours and vape packaging, to make them less appealing to children.
E-cigs could also be made more expensive to prevent kids being able to afford them with pocket money.
Meanwhile, disposable vapes could also face the axe under new measures.
Ministers launched an eight-week consultation on the measures today before any new rules are brought in.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “There has been a surge in vaping amongst children, which is why we’re taking action to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes.
“Vapes should never be used by children and we’re committed to reversing this trend.
“We also need to take bold action to protect future generations from the harms of smoking addiction, which damages health at every stage of life and costs the economy billions.”
1. Restricting the flavours and descriptions of vapes so that vape flavours are no longer targeted at children
Flavours like ‘rainbow burst’ and ‘cotton candy ice’ could be disappearing from off licences and shops under the new rules.
Ministers want to remove any flavours that are deemed to be targeted directly at children.
The Government says it wants to ensure this is done in a way that continues to support adult smokers to switch.
2. Regulating point of sale displays in retail outlets so vapes are kept out of sight from children and away from products that appeal
Vapes may also be moved off visible shelves in shops and kept away from products like sweets.
The move would help prevent children browsing the chocolate aisle from coming across e-cigarettes, ministers hope.
Similar measures were put in place for tobacco cigarettes in 2012, with packets not allowed to be shown at the point of sale in large stores like supermarkets.
3. Regulating vape packaging and product presentation, ensuring that neither the device nor its packaging is targeted to children
While not proposing plain packaging with graphic warnings like with cigarettes, packaging of vapes could be limited.
Any marketing or presentation on the products deemed to target children could be banned.
This would likely include bright colours and child-friendly images, although this has not been confirmed.
4. Considering restricting the sale of disposable vapes, which are clearly linked to the rise in vaping in children.
Disposable vapes like Elf Bars and Lost Marys could be banned altogether.
These products are not only attractive to children but also incredibly harmful to the environment, ministers say.
More than half of vapers used disposable vapes in 2022, up from 7.8 per cent in 2021, according to the Department of Health.
5. Exploring further restrictions for non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine consumer products such as nicotine pouches
Other products like tobacco-free snus could also face restrictions.
Brands like Nordic Spirit — which sells nicotine pouches placed in the gums — are becoming increasingly popular.
Details on a clampdown have not yet been ironed out but snus containing tobacco is currently illegal to buy and sell in the UK.
6. Exploring whether increasing the price of vapes will reduce the number of young people using them
Charities including Action on Smoking and Health have called for an increase in the price of vapes to put off youngsters.
Some single-use devices can be bought for as little as £4.99.
A £5 tax on vapes has previously been proposed.
7. Introducing new powers for local authorities to issue on-the-spot fines to enforce age of sale legislation of tobacco products and vapes
Fines to rogue shopkeepers selling to schoolchildren will also be discussed.
The vape industry has largely blamed retailers for the increase in use in under-18s, with the law currently not allowing sales to under-18s.
The threat of Fixed Penalty Notices could put people off selling to youngsters and encourage proper ID checks are made.