Plain vape packaging and shop display bans could stop 500,000 children picking up the habit, government figures show

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026 · last updated 3 October 2026.

Government impact assessments, published as a public consultation closes today, suggest that plain packaging, standardised devices and shop display bans could keep more than 500,000 young people aged 11 to 17 from ever taking up vaping. Ministers unveiled the proposals in July, with the aim of ending the targeting of vapes at children — measures covering in-store visibility restrictions and a ban on flavour names designed to appeal to younger buyers. More than 1,700 health and education professionals have written to ministers urging them to hold firm against industry lobbying to dilute the measures.

Action on Smoking and Health coordinated the letter, warning that the "views of a vocal minority should not outweigh the overwhelming support" for the crackdown.

A YouGov poll of more than 2,100 adults found 63% support standardised tobacco packaging, with just 7% opposed, while 79% back banning cartoon imagery and bright colours on vapes.

Teachers' union NASUWT surveyed 4,000 teachers and found that 13% had witnessed pupils using nicotine pouches during school hours, highlighting the breadth of the child nicotine problem.