Wes Streeting warns of long-term effects of vaping as he vows crackdown

Wes Streeting has promised a crackdown on how vapes are promoted in shops to tackle “an explosion in youth vaping”. The Health Secretary says the government will use new powers granted under the historic Tobacco and Vapes Act - which has become law today - to clamp down on advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes in shops up and down the country. Adverts, billboards and sponsorship by vaping companies will be outlawed. The Government also plans a consultation on whether vapes should be in plane packaging and hidden from display under the counter - the same as cigarettes. Mr Streeting told the Mirror : “From next summer, the days of flashy vape ads and sponsorships will be over. Tough new rules will shut down advertising that all too often targets children. “Let’s be clear: vaping should only ever be used to help adults give up smoking but never, in any circumstances, by children. Unfortunately, we’ve seen an explosion in youth vaping with rates more than doubling in five years. One in four kids have now tried it, no doubt enticed by bright packaging, sweet flavours and aggressive promotion.” The Government confirmed today that implementation will take place from June 1 next year to give industry at least one year’s notice. It will drastically reduce the prominence of brightly coloured e-cigarette advertising in corner shops while vending machines selling vapes will also be banned. The new law provides powers to regulate the flavours, packaging and display of all vapes and other nicotine products. It will stop them being targeted at children with bright colours and fruit flavours. The clampdown will close loopholes to ban all vapes and nicotine products from being sold to under 18s - including nicotine pouches. Free “taster” products will also be banned. Wes Streeting added: “We’re closing the loopholes. No sales to under-18s. No free samples. No vending machines. No ifs. No buts. We’re also consulting on introducing vape-free spaces: from playgrounds to schools, and indoor public places. And we will be consulting on proposed restrictions around the shop display, packaging and appearance of vapes later this year. “Emerging evidence already suggests young vapers are almost as likely to suffer shortness of breath, wheezing and chest pain as young smokers. Vapour can contain nicotine and other potentially toxic substances. “And while we do not know the long-term effects of many vape ingredients or the harms inhaling the contents and flavouring of vapes, given their widespread use is relatively recent, the expert advice is clear they are unlikely to be beneficial. “It is possible further harms will emerge over time and my advice to young vapers and parents is why take the risk. Learn the lessons of previous generations and don’t make the same mistakes your parents and grandparents did.” The link between tobacco smoking and cancer was uncovered in the 1950s but it took decades for attitudes to change and for smoking rates to fall steadily. Some 5.3 million people still smoke but this number has been overtaken by the numbers vaping. The NHS still promotes e-cigarettes as a quitting aid for smokers but there are concerns about the number of young people taking up vaping who have never smoked. Research from recent years suggests vaping harms are much less than smoking.