Cola flavours, a TikTok blitz, just £1.50 each... no wonder kids are hooked

VAPE manufacturers have been accused of cynically targeting children to lure them into nicotine addiction.

Use of disposable vapes, or e-cigarettes, has soared among the under18s, with many products marketed with bright colours, sweet flavours and pocket money prices.

Flavours include cotton candy ice, pink lemonade, cola, bubblegum ice and banana smoothie.

A new generation of cheaper disposable vapes has gained prominence over the past year, including popular Elf Bars and Geek Bars.

Disposables are small enough to be concealed in a schoolbag or pocket and can be bought cheaply, with some brands advertised online for as little as £1.50 each.

They are also available from specialist shops, where products are displayed on shelves like sweets, and from newsagents.

Figures suggest the number of pupils vaping at secondary schools has soared in the past four years, with a number of local authorities reporting a large rise in vaperelated products being confiscated from children.

The hashtag #elfbar has nearly 600 million views on video-sharing app TikTok.

There is a thriving industry in vape-related accessories which has seen ‘Hello Kitty’ covers and vibrant cartoon-type packaging.

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, said: ‘The cheap cost of disposable vapes as well as sweet flavours, vibrant colouring and packaging make them attractive to young people.

‘It is essential that the advertising and promotion of recreational vaping products in Scotland are restricted and youngsters are educated about the potential risks to their health in order to discourage them from experimenting.’

Vapes do not burn tobacco or produce tar, two of the most harmful elements of tobacco smoke.

The battery-powered devices heat a liquid containing nicotine, propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine – the ingredient which mimics the smoke-like vapour upon exhalation – and flavourings.

The £1 billion industry is the UK’s largest growing consumer goods sector.

The Scottish Government is consulting on tightening rules on the advertising of vape products, with the results expected soon.

Last night the trade body that represents vape manufacturers insisted their products were not aimed at children.

John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), said: ‘No one under 18 should be vaping, and the UKVIA operates a zero tolerance policy for anyone in our membership found to be selling vape goods to children. We condemn any marketing aimed directly at young people.

‘The UKVIA has published guidelines which we are calling for the Government to introduce to reduce the attractiveness of products to under-18s, such as banning the use of cartoon characters or naming goods after well-known sweets.’