E-cigarettes to be banned for under 18-year-olds

Electronic cigarettes will be been banned for under 18-year-olds in the UK so that they are in line with rules on selling tobacco-based nicotine products.

E-cigarettes were developed as a way to help people quit smoking; however, their rise in popularity in recent years is concerning health experts. While it is good that people are reducing their tobacco intake, they are not overcoming an addiction to nicotine. It is also feared that children may start smoking e-cigarettes in the belief that they are healthy and, once addicted to nicotine, subsequently turn to tobacco products.

Smoking rates have fallen to their lowest level in recent years; however, as electronic cigarettes become more popular, younger people are experimenting with them. Currently electronic cigarettes can be smoked in many public places, which increases their appeal.

Health scientists admit that the direct risks of smoking an electronic cigarette are not known at present, but there is a risk that the nicotine may damage health. The main risk to health with tobacco is the inhalation of tar and other chemicals, which are linked to lung disease and cancer.

“We do not yet know the harm that e-cigarettes can cause to adults, let alone to children, but we do know they are not risk-free,” Professor Dame Sally Davies, England’s chief medical officer, said.

Some European countries are considering banning electronic cigarettes. Scotland and Wales have both discussed restrictions and the Welsh government fully supports a total ban for under-18s.

Smoking is still one of the main causes of early death in the UK. Recent changes in tobacco advertising and marketing have helped to reduce smoking, but electronic cigarettes are introducing a new generation of youngsters to the highly-addictive drug that is nicotine.