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The Prime Minister has announced plans to ban disposable vapes in the UK as part of a plan to tackle the rise in youth vaping and protect children’s health.
Recent figures show the number of children using vapes in the past 3 years has tripled. Use among younger children is also rising, with 9% of 11 to 15 year olds now using vapes. The long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine contained within them can be highly addictive, with withdrawal sometimes causing anxiety, trouble concentrating and headaches.
While vaping can play a role in helping adult smokers to quit, children, like smoking, should never vape. I have received correspondence from concerned parents over recent months about the rise in vaping among children and young people.
Legislation is also to be introduced so that children turning 15 this year or younger can never legally be sold tobacco. This would create the first smokefree generation.
I am keen to gather constituents' views on these issues. The vote on introducing a smoking ban on anyone born after 2008 will be a free vote, which has traditionally been allowed on ethical issues seen as a matter of conscience rather than Government business.