Candy-flavoured vapes could be BANNED & Elf bar prices hiked by government to stop children using them

CANDY flavored vapes could be banned by the government to crack down on thousands of kids using them.

Ministers are also reportedly considering raising the price of Elf bars to prevent youngsters from becoming addicted to e-cigarettes.

The Department of Health and Social Care wants to tighten rules in the industry to curb the number of under-18s hitting the fun-flavored vapes.

Concerns have been raised about the alarming trend after the number of teens vaping almost doubled in two years.

Despite a minimum age limit of 18, surveys suggest a worrying number of 11- to 17-year-olds are using the devices.

Experts fear the bright colors, sweet flavors and trending social media videos may tempt youngsters to buy it.

inews reported that the government is now considering banning candy-flavored vapes to stem the madness.

Officials suspect the different flavors — including gum, cotton candy, strawberry, blueberry and cola — prompt young people to pick them up.

Flashy marketing campaigns targeting youngsters can also be banned to stem the influx of child steamers.

An Observer investigation in July last year found that Chinese-owned Elf Bar broke rules to promote its products to young people in the UK.

The products were reportedly promoted by social influencers, who in some cases claimed to have been paid for the posts and benefited from free products.

Ministers are also discussing discouraging e-cigarettes by introducing a levy on disposable vaporizers such as Elf Bars.

The price could be raised more in line with reusable vaporizers, making them less affordable for kids.

The Health Department is believed to be looking into the benefits of a tax – but it is likely to be blocked by the Treasury.

Industry officials told Jeremy Hunt last night that an e-cigarette tax would be “counterproductive” as it helps smokers kick the habit.

Although this would upset the booming industry, charities and activists are firmly behind the proposals.

The plans were presented as part of the government’s response to the Khan Review on smoking.

The damning report called on ministers to “do everything in their power to discourage children and young people from vaping, including by banning child-friendly packaging and descriptions.”

It has also been suggested that smoking ages should be increased each year to help tackle the UK cigarette crisis.

A senior government source with knowledge of the plans told Downing Street news agency it will respond to the review in the spring.

They added: “It will be about vaping, the benefits it has in getting people to quit smoking.

“Of course, when it comes to kids vaping, we have to nip it in the bud.”

Sir Chris Whitty warned this week that the country must crack down on child vaping as the numbers continue to rise.

The direct-speaking health chief said marketing the products to youngsters was “completely unacceptable”.

He said some brands are “clearly marketed to children” and should not be allowed.

Ministers in Scotland are considering a ban on disposable vapes and an Elf Bar product has already been banned for containing too much nicotine.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of charity Action on Smoking and Health, called for a new tax on single-use items to be included in next month’s budget.

She said: “Children who vape mainly use cheap disposable items that are attractive, colorful and cheap, they can be had for less than five euros.

“Increasing the tax on single-use, single-use vapes in the March budget would be easy to do, and by making them less affordable could both reduce child vaping and the vast amounts of single-use vapes being thrown into landfills become, be reduced.”

John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), backed government plans to prevent children from getting vapes.

But he said it was on condition that any regulations related to “marketing, disposables and flavors are proportionate and targeted”.

The Advertising Standards Authority said it was “very aware” that marketing e-cigarettes to children is an “area where people have a lot of concerns”.

A spokesperson added: “We continue to monitor the situation and are reviewing our policies, including discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care on the regulation of new products, to ensure we protect vulnerable audiences from potential harm linked to e-cigarette advertising.” .”

Scientists say e-cigarettes are safer than tobacco, but they still don’t fully understand the risks.