[Levin]

Rachel Hall and Aubrey Allegretti
Tue 30 May 2023 00.01 BST


Retailers will no longer be able to hand out free samples of vapes to children after ministers announced plans to close a legal loophole.

Although it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to under-18s, it is not illegal for retailers and marketing firms to hand out free samples. This is because vapes are not covered by the tobacco advertising rules prohibiting free distribution, as they are not considered a tobacco product.

It has been nearly three years since campaigners sounded the alarm at the “gaping hole” in e-cigarette regulations in England, which they warned could result in more children vaping.

Campaigners and doctors have also urged the government to urgently toughen rules around the advertising and packaging of vapes, which target children with bright colours, fruity flavours and cheap disposable options.

The government announced its plan to close the loophole as part of a wider package of efforts to tackle child vaping, which doctors fear could result in long-term addictions and lung damage. NHS figures for 2021 show that 9% of 11- to 15-year-old children used e-cigarettes, up from 6% in 2018.


https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023...free-vapes

[Bigbluedot]

On retaliation for the opium which the brit force sold to chinese people under Qing dynasty, china should supply vapes to brit ppl.

[wulala]

I saw many local teens are falling for this. they say many nice flavor. Maybe another big revenue coming, can tax high high like cigarette. now just close one eye until more rely on it.