Written question WQ89147

I am very concerned by the increases in vaping use amongst children and young people and by reports that the rise is attributable, at least in part, to the marketing, packaging and flavours of these products. Vaping products, particularly those containing nicotine have no place in the hands of children and young people and I am clear they should not in any way be appealing to children. Because I recognise that many of the impactful changes on vapes will require legislative change, I am committed to working with governments across the UK to strengthen our regulation of this industry, including on single-use disposable products. I await the outcome of the UK Government’s call to evidence on youth vaping and have written to the Minister for Primary Care and Public Health in the UK Government to make clear my support for the introduction of much stronger evidence-based restrictions on the vaping industry, particularly in relation to their marketing and placement in shops.