Health Secretary Wes Streeting is considering restricting outdoor e-cigarette use amid rising concerns over youth vaping rates

The UK government is reportedly gearing up to impose a ban on vaping in specific outdoor areas, including playgrounds, hospital grounds, and near schools, as part of a concerted effort to curb the rising popularity of e-cigarettes among young people. This move is believed to have the backing of the country’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, and is expected to be included in the forthcoming tobacco and vapes bill, which will be presented in Parliament in the coming weeks.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is said to be weighing the implications of this ban, with reports indicating that he is contemplating limiting e-cigarette use in public spaces to protect children from the potential risks associated with vaping. Although discussions have included extending the ban to pub gardens, backlash over a previous proposal to limit outdoor hospitality could affect the final decision.

Recent studies have raised alarms over a significant rise in vaping among young adults, with research published in Lancet Public Health revealing that the number of vapers in England who have never smoked has surged to one million since 2021—a staggering sevenfold increase over three years. Notably, approximately one in seven individuals aged 18 to 24 who have never smoked are now using e-cigarettes.

Experts are sounding the alarm on this trend. Professor Nick Hopkinson, a respiratory physician and chair of Action on Smoking and Health, acknowledged the benefits of vaping as a smoking cessation tool but emphasised the need for caution. He highlighted concerns over increasing usage among young people and non-smokers, stating, “Vaping has helped millions of adults quit smoking and is much less harmful than smoking. However, it is not risk-free.”

Echoing these sentiments, Professor Sanjay Agrawal, a special adviser on tobacco for the Royal College of Physicians, has called for urgent action to address the growing prevalence of vaping among children and young adults. He insisted that while e-cigarettes can be effective in helping smokers quit, it is crucial to prevent them from posing new public health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations.

The Department of Health and Social Care commented on the situation, refraining from discussing specifics related to the leaked information. A spokesperson reiterated that while vapes can serve as an effective tool for adult smokers, children should never be allowed to vape. They reaffirmed that the upcoming tobacco and vapes bill aims to implement definitive measures to prevent future generations from becoming addicted to nicotine and to curb marketing practices targeting children.

As discussions surrounding the proposed ban intensify, the government is keen to take a proactive approach in tackling the growing concern over youth vaping, aiming to strike a balance between allowing responsible adult use of e-cigarettes while protecting children from their potential harms.