The UK government has announced plans to crack down on the illegal sale of e-cigarettes to under 18s. The new measures will include the creation of an “illicit vapes enforcement squad” led by Trading Standards, with £3m in funding to conduct test purchases and remove banned products from shops and at borders. Additionally, the government will launch a call for evidence to identify ways to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes.

The move comes amid growing concern over youth vaping in Britain, with the latest survey by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) revealing a rise in underage vaping in recent years. In 2022, 7% of 11- to 17-year-olds surveyed said they used vapes, compared with 3.3% in 2021.

Vape Manufacturers Welcome the Crackdown

The plan to tackle illegal sales to children has been welcomed by vape manufacturers. The UK Vaping Industry Association had been calling for increased action on “rogue resellers” and said the targeted action due to be announced by the government would help cut the supply of e-cigarettes to minors. Recent raids have found shops across the country selling illegal vapes, including those containing illegal nicotine levels, and failing to conduct proper age checks.

Health Experts Call for Further Action

However, health experts have warned that the measures would do little to stop underage vaping and said that action was needed to make e-cigarettes less appealing to children. Dr Mike McKean, the vice-president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said that while they were relieved that the UK government was focusing on the rising levels of children and young people picking up e-cigarettes, an enforcement squad was just the tip of the iceberg.

According to Dr McKean, vapes were often “affordable, appealing and clearly very accessible for children”. He called for action on the “bright packaging, exotic flavours and enticing names” used in many products. “Tighter restrictions on advertising of vaping products are also needed to ensure these products are only advertised as a smoking reduction aid rather than a fun and colourful lifestyle product,” he said.

The Call for Evidence

The Department of Health and Social Care said its call for evidence would look at ways of cutting underage vaping while “ensuring they remain available as a quit aid for adult smokers”. It is expected to explore issues such as the marketing and promotion of vapes. Vape manufacturers argue that features such as fruity flavours can help adults quit smoking.

Last year, the Observer revealed how influencers were flouting advertising rules to promote popular Elf Bar vapes to young people on TikTok. E-cigarette companies have also run campaigns across buses and billboards.

Government to Clamp Down on Businesses

Health minister Neil O’Brien said the government was “concerned about the rise in youth vaping, particularly the increasing use of disposable vaping products”. He added that the measures were designed to “clamp down” on those businesses that were “getting children hooked on nicotine”. “Our call for evidence will also allow us to get a firm understanding of the steps we can take to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes,” he said.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Ash, said the charity welcomed the government announcement but that more action was needed to “tackle the scourge of youth vaping”. She said: “The call for evidence is all well and good, but we already know the problems that need addressing, and how to address them. Cheap disposable vapes need to be taxed so they can no longer be bought for pocket money prices. And the government needs to regulate to limit where these products can be sold, and prohibit brightly coloured packaging with cartoon characters and names like ‘gummy bears’. There’s no time for delay.”

Conclusion

The UK government’s new measures to tackle underage vaping have been welcomed by vape manufacturers, but health experts have called for further action to make e-cigarettes less appealing to children. While the creation of an “illicit vapes enforcement squad” is a step in the right direction, it is just the beginning of what needs to be done to protect children from the dangers of vaping.

FAQs

1. What is the illicit vapes enforcement squad?

The illicit vapes enforcement squad is a team led by Trading Standards with £3m in funding to conduct test purchases and remove banned e-cigarette products from shops and at borders.

2. Why is the UK government cracking down on underage vaping?

The UK government is concerned about the rising number of children and young people picking up e-cigarettes. In 2022, 7% of 11- to 17-year-olds surveyed said they used vapes, compared with 3.3% in 2021.

3. Why are health experts calling for further action?

While the creation of the enforcement squad is a step in the right direction, health experts believe that more action is needed to make e-cigarettes less appealing to children. This includes tighter restrictions on advertising and the prohibition of brightly coloured packaging with cartoon characters and names like ‘gummy bears’.

4. What is the call for evidence?

The call for evidence is a government initiative to identify ways to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes while ensuring they remain available as a quit aid for adult smokers. It is expected to explore issues such as the marketing and promotion of vapes.

5. What more needs to be done to tackle youth vaping?

According to Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Ash, more action is needed to tackle the scourge of youth vaping. This includes taxing cheap disposable vapes so they can no longer be bought for pocket money prices, regulating where these products can be sold, and prohibiting brightly coloured packaging with cartoon characters and names like ‘gummy bears’.