Britain set to ban sale of e-cigarettes to under 18s
Health chief says toxic chemicals in the devices may prove to be 'extremely damaging' to young
Britain is to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to children under 18, citing possible adverse health effects and outlining a need for further research.
E-cigarettes are puffed like a regular cigarette but deliver nicotine by vaporising liquid rather than burning tobacco. They have grown in popularity and some analysts predict the market could outpace that for conventional cigarettes within a decade.
"We do not yet know the harm e-cigarettes can cause to adults, let alone to children, but they are not risk- free," Chief Medical Officer Sally Davies said.
She said e-cigarettes could produce toxic chemicals and that variations in the strength of the nicotine solutions meant they could end up being "extremely damaging" to young people's health.
We do not yet know the harm e-cigarettes can cause to adults, let alone children
The global market for e-cigarettes was estimated at more than US$2 billion last year by market consultant Euromonitor.