YOUTH vaping should be controlled through a phone app, an MP said last night.
Labour’s Mary Glindon says the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill risks falling short by checking only for age at the point of sale.
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She urges ministers to enforce a digital child-lock that would stop vapes from turning on without age verification in a phone app.
Current laws only check age at sale, but teens are still getting e-cigs from shops, online, and a surge of black market products.
NHS figures show almost one in 10 secondary school pupils currently vape.
Ms Glindon said: “This Bill risks falling short.
“We’re running out of time to fix this.
It comes as polling by school union NASWUT found 85 per cent of teachers think vaping is a growing problem, while 61 per cent of parents say enforcement isn’t working.
The Bill already aims to limit flavours and packaging—but Ms Glindon says that won’t stop access.
She added: “With schools left dealing with the fallout of a trend that shows no sign of slowing, urgent action is needed to keep vaping products out of the hands of our children.
“Adding age verification at the point of use is a practical, achievable step that makes significant progress towards achieving the goal of a smokefree generation and closing the loopholes that have allowed youth vaping to flourish.”
The Bill is currently being debated in the Lords.
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