Banning vaping is “the way to go”, a former vaper has claimed. 

The use of e-cigarettes, or vapes, has surged in popularity in recent years, with many people using them to stop smoking - as both contain the addictive drug nicotine. 

Vaping is especially common among young people and the Government recently raised the minimum age a person can vape to 18. 

On Lunchtime Live, journalist and former vaper JJ Clarke said the Government needs to do far more to crack down on the practice. 

“In my opinion, they should just get on with it; banning vapes writ large - and nicotine pouches - is the way to go,” he said. 

“You can still advertise in a shopfront, you can see the single-use vapes behind the counter. 

“You can’t with cigarettes - that’s a move in the right direction.” 

Single use disposable vapes lying discarded on the road. Credit: Richard Newton / Alamy Stock Photo.

The HSE warns people that while vaping “may be less harmful” than traditional cigarettes, it is “not harm-free”. 

Like many people, Mr Clarke found quitting vaping "incredibly difficult”. 

“I was going through two single-use vapes a day,” he said. 

“So, to put that in perspective, a 20 pack of cigarettes is the equivalent of one single -use vape. 

“Which is 600 puffs; so 1,200 puffs a day.” 

A disposable vape is seen on the ground. Picture by: gerard ferry / Alamy Stock Photo

Although some organisations have introduced restrictions on vaping, there is no law that officially bans vaping in certain areas - like there is with smoking. 

It is something Mr Clarke believes would reduce the number of vapers. 

“If you make it slightly difficult to do something, they’re not going to do something as much,” he said. 

“If you ban it, if you take away the opportunity, then less people [will do it]. 

“If you were to ban alcohol tomorrow, you would see a decline in alcohol consumption. 

“It stands to reason.”

Main image: Vaping. Picture by: PA Wire/PA Images.