Government tightening e-cigarette regulations

Minister says popular vapour pens are a “training tool” for young smokers

As of 1 November, children under 18 will no longer buy electronic cigarettes and vape pens. The government will consider a bill on Monday that will tighten rules for the hugely popular e-cigarettes.

“We seem simply do not believe e-cigarettes belong in the corner of the mouth of a child,” Nick Haekkerup, the health minister, told Politiken. “I can not rid myself of the idea that smoking e-cigarettes teaches children how to smoke, and there is no reason to equip them with a training tool.”

Majority in favour of tighter regs
An poll by the cancer society shows that 79 percent of Danes support the ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to people under 18-years-old. Only nine percent are opposed.

In 2013, morre than 150,000 Danes smoked e-cigarettes every third day, according to an assessment by health authorities Sundhedsstyrelsen.

READ MORE: Danish health authorities warn against the use of e-cigarettes

The future regulations for e-cigarettes will resemble the rules for regular tobacco: Purchasers must be 18 years old to buy e-cigarettes, there will be bans on advertising and smoking laws will also apply to e-cigarettes.