Almost 14,000 Norfolk people who never smoked are vaping

And that has prompted pleas from Norfolk County Council for tougher laws to prevent children and young people from starting vaping.

Public health chiefs are also concerned that almost 14,000 people in Norfolk who have never smoked cigarettes are using vapes.

There are concerns people in Norfolk who have never smoked are taking up vaping

While public health chiefs at County Hall say vaping can be useful for people wanting to give up cigarettes, they are concerned that people who have never smoked - including young people - are taking up the habit.

A new report showed 40,000 adults in Norfolk use vapes every day, while the increase in vaping was highest in the 16 to 24 age group.

County councillor Alison Thomas (Image: Archant)

At a recent meeting of the council's cabinet, Alison Thomas, cabinet member for adult social care and a former nurse, said: "I think it's important that we encourage people to use vaping to step down from smoking, but not to start with vaping in the first place.

"There are illegal and unregulated vapes available which often have quite significant amounts of nicotine in. It is better that people do not start."

Council leader Kay Mason Billig said: "We are all concerned about the rise in vaping among young people. Sometimes they are going straight to vaping, which is a concern."

Council leader Kay Mason Billig (Image: Norfolk County Council)

E-cigarettes with nicotine are still addictive and the long-term effects of vaping are not yet known.

Public health chiefs say vaping is not risk-free, particularly for people who have never smoked.

The Conservative-controlled cabinet agreed a recommendation from County Hall's people and communities select committee to write to the government urging tougher laws around the sale of vapes.

READ MORE: Shop which sold vapes to children closed by police

Vapes (Image: Stock image)

It is already illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18, but evidence shows disposable vapes – which are cheaper and sold in smaller, more colourful packaging than refillable ones – are driving the rise in youth vaping.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said in January that he would ban single-use, disposable vapes.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt

They are also reports that a new vape tax to be introduced in this week's Budget, with chancellor Jeremy Hunt said to be considering a new levy on the liquid in vapes, with higher levels for products with more nicotine.