UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Expresses Concern About Vaping Marketing to Children
Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister, has expressed concern about the promotion of vapes to children, stating that it is "ridiculous" to target them with marketing.
He has pledged to look into strengthening rules on vaping marketing and promotion.
Sunak also pointed out that vapes are illegal to sell to children, but a recent BBC investigation found that vapes confiscated from school pupils contained high levels of lead, which could affect brain development.
The number of children using vapes has been increasing, with a rise in usage among 11 to 15-year-olds and 15-year-old girls.
The government views vaping as a safer alternative to cigarettes, but is also concerned about children taking up the habit.
Sunak has announced funding for trading standards officers to tackle shops selling vapes to children and is looking into strengthening rules on vaping marketing.
Labour has also expressed a desire to ban vapes from being marketed to children if they win power.