Hit squads will target selling e-cigs to kids

A £3MILLION crackdown on the illegal sale of vaping products to children is being launched.

Hit squads will target shops selling e-cigarettes, with a new “illicit vapes enforcement squad” backed by Government cash.

The move will be announced on Tuesday by Health Minister Neil O’brien, who will also unveil a consultation about ways to make vaping less attractive to young people.

Options include a ban on fruit-flavoured products, which ministers fear are encouraging youngsters to take up the habit and become hooked on nicotine.

Mr O’brien said: “Smoking kills, so our priority is to prevent people smoking, and support them to quit.we remain committed to our ambition to be smoke-free by 2030.

“However, while vaping is a preferable alternative to smoking for adults, we are concerned about the rise in youth vaping, particularly the increasing use of disposable products.”

The 44-year-old Tory MP for Harborough added: “The new illicit vapes enforcement squad will work to clamp down on those businesses who sell to children – which is illegal.”

The squad, led by Trading Standards officers, will work across the country and share intelligence with local authorities.

“It will carry out test purchases in convenience stores and vape shops.

The squad will also have the power to remove illegal products from shops and at borders.

The Government will also consider whether action is needed to deal with disposable e-cigarettes littering the streets. The products, also known as single-use vapes, contain circuit boards and lithium-ion batteries which include toxic materials.

Experts say these can leach into the environment as the products degrade if they are carelessly thrown away by smokers.

While it hopes to prevent children and young people trying e-cigarettes, the Government also hopes to encourage smokers of traditional cigarettes to switch to vaping if they are unable to quit the habit entirely.

Government-backed research last year concluded: “In the short and medium term, vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking.”

However it also warned: “Vaping is not risk-free, particularly for people who have never smoked.”