Britain's biggest doctors' union has today demanded a total ban on all flavoured vapes in a bid to tackle the country's e-cigarette 'epidemic'. 

The British Medical Association (BMA) argued the government must take 'bold and brave action' to protect children and the environment from their harms.

Figures show regular vaping among children and young people has risen almost six-fold in the last decade.

The BMA report, 'Taking our breath away: Why we need stronger regulation of vapes', blames the rise on the 'widespread availability of disposable vapes'.

As part of a 'vital crackdown', it also wants ministers to ban all imagery, colouring and branding on vapes and their packaging — similar to existing rules on cigarettes.

The products should also be kept out of sight, behind the counter, the BMA adds.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill earlier this year, which included plans to ban disposable e-cigarettes and introduce restrictions on flavours and packaging.

However, it was shelved after the General Election was announced in May.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer revived the Bill following Labour's victory at the July 4 vote, although details on the measures included in the proposed legislation are yet to be published.

Dr Penelope Toff, chair of the BMA's public health medicine committee, called on the current Government 'to go even further' than the plans outlined by Mr Sunak.

She described the BMA report as a 'blueprint' of the actions that should be taken by ministers.

It calls for a ban on the sale of disposable vapes 'on the grounds of disproportionate and harmful use by children and young people and their adverse impact on the environment'.

Dr Toff warned e-cigarette use among youngsters is a 'serious public health threat'.

'We are calling on ministers to take bold and brave actions that will make a real difference, like banning all vape flavours other than tobacco, so that the grip these products have on our children and young people is released, while still ensuring they remain an option to help some people stop smoking,' she said.

The BMA wants tighter regulations to tackle the illegal sale of vapes, including Government-funded education campaigns, as well as measures to stop the sale of other products, such as nicotine pouches, to young people.

Charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) estimates 18 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds in Britain — or around 980,000 youngsters — have vaped in 2024.

Some 7.6 per cent of 11 to 17 year olds now vaping regularly or occasionally, compared to 1.3 per cent in 2014.

Professor David Strain, chair of the BMA's board of science, said: 'There is no denying we are living in a vaping epidemic.

'Vape usage has risen hugely in the last decade, with one in ten ten adults now vaping.

'However, far more worrying, is the increase in young people who vape, with almost six times more 11-17 year-olds vaping now compared with 10 years ago.

'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.

'And with two vapes thrown away every second in the UK, the environmental impact of this epidemic is disastrous.'

The World Health Organisation has declared vapes as harmful.

The devices can lead to nicotine addiction, which has the potential to cause health problems such as high blood pressure on chronic lung diseases.

Some e-cigarettes have been found to contain other harmful substances such as lead and synthetic drug spice.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The marketing of vapes to children and young people is utterly unacceptable.

'Vapes can be an effective way for adult smokers to quit, but we have always been clear that children and adult non-smokers should never vape.

'The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop vapes from deliberately being branded and advertised to appeal to children, including by regulating flavours, packaging, and changing how and where they are displayed in shops.'