UK doctors warm of 'vaping epidemic'

Leading UK doctors urged the government yesterday to pass legislation to tackle “a vaping epidemic”, in particular among young people, by banning disposable e-cigarettes and all flavours apart from tobacco.

The call came alongside the publication of a British Medical Association (BMA) report which it said was a “blueprint” for the “bold actions needed”.

The previous Conservative government unveiled plans this year to eventually phase out smoking, alongside banning disposable e-cigarett es and restricting their flavours and packaging.

The new Labour administration – which swept to power early last month – has revived the draft legislation but is yet to detail its exact approach.

The BMA report noted that vape use among children and young people has increased almost six-fold in the last decade.

It implored the government not to “shy away from taking brave action” to “stem the trend”.