In its The Taking our breath away: why we need stronger regulation of vapes report, the BMA lays out a series of actions needed to stem the trend of increased vaping, particularly among children and young people, and those who have never smoked.

In the report, the BMA sets out its blueprint for what legislation should include to tackle rising vape use, especially among children and young people. Its recommendations include:

·       Banning the commercial sale of all disposable vapes, banning all non-tobacco vape flavours.

·       Prohibiting the use of all imagery, colouring and branding for both the packaging and vape device, similar to current restrictions on cigarettes.

·       Further restrictions on all advertising and marketing; and ensure vapes are kept behind the counter and not on display in shops and retail outlets.

·       Government education campaigns for the public on the dangers of vapes to reduce appeal, especially among children and young people.

Professor David Strain, chair of the BMA's board of science, said: ‘As a doctor, I understand the role vapes can play in helping people to stop smoking, but they have no rightful place in our children and young people's lives and when it comes to protecting their health, we cannot afford to gamble.

‘An industry so obviously targeting children with colours, flavours and branding, to push a product that can lead to nicotine addiction and potential further harms cannot be allowed to happen any longer.'

Dr Penelope Toff, chair of the BMA's public health medicine committee, added: 'While this government has rightly pledged to tackle smoking and vaping, the test will be in how it acts. As we await details, we have put together this blueprint of the actions that are crucial right now to stop this serious public health threat in its tracks.'