Vapes should be kept out of sight of children in shops and the legal minimum age of 18 should be marked clearly on each product, councils in England have said, stating that too many children are being illegally sold vapes with fruity flavours and colourful packaging.
According to a BBC report, the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England, is calling for vaping products to be subject to the same rules as cigarettes – sold in plain packaging and kept out of reach and sight of children behind shop counters.
“It is not right that stores are able to prominently display vaping paraphernalia for all to see, such as in a shop window, often in bright, colourful packaging that can appeal to children,” said councillor David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board.
He also said it was “deeply worrying” that more and more children who had never smoked are starting to vape.
Health charity Ash, which has been providing resources for schools, parents and teachers on how to stop children vaping, says the government should introduce a tax on single-use disposable vapes in the Budget in March.
“In one simple step this would reduce both child vaping and the vast quantities of single-use vapes being thrown into landfill,” says chief executive Deborah Arnott.
The charity also suggests product names resembling sweets or featuring cartoon characters should be banned, and anyone who looks under 25 should be asked for ID in shops.
Doctors have warned of the potential long-term effects of vaping on the lungs, and are calling for tighter rules on packaging and advertising.
Vapes should only be used by smokers who want to give up tobacco. In the UK, only those aged 18 and over can buy vapes or e-cigarettes.
But vaping is growing in popularity among teenagers, who often use disposable single-use products like Elf and Geek bars.
They come in a variety of flavours and colours, are marketed on social media and can be bought in many High Street shops, such as newsagents or mobile phone outlets. They cost about £5.
The Scottish government reportedly is considering a potential ban on disposable vapes as part of a plan to reduce their impact on public health and the environment.
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