Doctors in the UK Want Flavored E-Cigarettes Banned

Doctors in the UK have called on the government to ban single-use e-cigarettes, which come in different flavours.

The use of these products by children has been a topic of debate in the country for some time.

The British Medical Association (BMA), the medical union and professional body, called on the government to take “bold action”.

The medical organisation argues that children are being targeted with colourful packaging and flavours in an attempt to increase market share.

It is estimated that around 8 per cent of children aged 11 to 17 in the UK use e-cigarettes.

It is currently illegal to sell any e-cigarettes to minors under the age of 18 on the island.

However, BMA Scientific Board Chair Prof. David Strain notes that children still need protection:

“There is no denying that we are living in a vaping epidemic. The use of e-cigarettes has increased dramatically over the last decade, with one in 10 adults now using them.

“But what is far more worrying is the increasing number of young people using them, with almost six times more 11-17 year olds using e-cigarettes than 10 years ago.

“As a doctor, I recognize the role they can play in helping people quit smoking. But vaping should have no place in the lives of our children and young people.”

Speaking to the BBC, Prof. Strain also reminded that e-cigarettes were designed to help people quit smoking:

Strain argues that young people are targeted with “fancy” packaging and flavours.

The BMA is calling on the government to:

Will the new bill strengthen the black market?

In the UK, the previous government introduced the Tobacco and Vaping Bill last February, which aimed to “strike the right balance” between restricting children’s access to e-cigarettes and maintaining access for adults trying to quit smoking.

The Conservative Party’s proposed law would have plainer packaging for e-cigarettes, but the Labour government plans to revise the bill and gradually raise the age at which people can buy tobacco.

Officials from the industry association, which brings together e-cigarette manufacturers in the UK, also say they agree that stronger measures are needed to prevent young people from accessing these products.

However, the association also warns that the bans could “strengthen the black market”.

According to National Health Services (NHS) officials in the UK, e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes.

But there are still concerns about long-term risks.