- 5 updates
E-cigarettes ban for under-18s
The Government is to introduce new legislation to ban under-18s from buying electronic cigarettes. The announcement comes as e-cigarettes are enjoying a boom in sales, with an estimated 1.3 million people in the UK thought to use them
Live updates
Under 18s to be banned from using e-cigarettes
The sale of electronic cigarettes to under 18s is to be banned as part of a clampdown on teenage smoking. An estimated 1.3 million people use them - most as an aid to quit smoking.
But some experts say a ban could actually encourage more youngsters to take up the habit.
ITV News reporter Sejal Karia reports:
- ITV Report
Sales ban on e-cigarettes only a first step
Advertisement
E-cigs 'could be extremely damaging to young people'
E-cigarette ban 'to help children lead a healthy life'
Government to ban sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s
The Government is to introduce new legislation to ban under-18s from buying electronic cigarettes.
The Coalition also plans to make it illegal for adults to purchase cigarettes for anyone under 18, under tough new laws aimed at cracking down on teenage smoking.The announcement comes as e-cigarettes are enjoying a boom in sales, with an estimated 1.3 million people in the UK thought to use them.
The law, which will be introduced this week as an amendment to the Children and Families Bill, will also ban 'proxy purchasing' - knowingly buying tobacco on behalf of someone under 18.
Adults caught breaking the law, which ministers hope will come into force by the autumn, could be given a £50 fixed penalty notice or fined up to £2,500.
Latest ITV News reports
-
Sales ban on e-cigarettes only a first step
Regardless of whether it's e-cigarettes or real ones, it is the act of smoking that is being promoted to adults and children alike.