E-cig selling ban for under 18s comes into force next month

Thief who struck four times in four days at e-cigarette shops

Under the plans it will be illegal for retailers to sell e-cigs or the liquid used in them to someone under 18. It will also be an offence for anyone over 18 to buy e-cigarettes on behalf of a young person attracting a fine of £50.

Results of a recent survey carried out by Lancashire County Council found a quarter of young people across Lancashire aged under 18 had tried or bought e-cigarettes and 12 per cent used them regularly. Over half had got them from older friends, siblings or parents.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health at Lancashire County Council, said: “E-cigarettes are still fairly new products which haven’t been thoroughly assessed over a long period of time.

“They are considered to be a less harmful alternative for adults who already smoke tobacco but we know they are not 100 per cent risk-free.”