DISPOSABLE vapes are to be banned to tackle the rise in youths taking up the habit, says the PM.
Curbs on flavours aimed at kids and where they can be displayed will also come in.
GettyDisposable vapes will be banned as part of a major plan to stop the alarming rise in youths taking up the habit[/caption]
Manufacturers must also introduce plain packaging in a crackdown to be announced on a school visit by Rishi Sunak.
Trading standards officers will be able to dish out on-the-spot fines to shops illegally selling vapes to kids, on top of the £2,500 penalty currently imposed by councils.
It comes after the number of youngsters vaping tripled in three years, with nine per cent of 11 to 15 year-olds using them.
Mr Sunak said action must be taken “before it becomes endemic”.
The PM added: “While vaping can be a useful tool to help smokers quit, marketing vapes to children is not acceptable.”
The changes are part of a government response to a consultation on smoking and vaping last October.
But Marcus Saxton, chairman of the Independent British Trade and Vape Association, said they will only make it harder for smokers to quit.
He added: “Big tobacco will be rubbing its hands with glee in anticipation of possible vape bans and increasing their sales.”