Electronic cigarettes are marketed as alternative nicotine delivery devices for people to use in places where smoking is not permitted since they do not produce smoke. Preliminary tests suggest that they are relatively harmless in comparison with smoking. There are, however, a number of problems with e-cigarettes.

Research shows that Point of Sale (PoS) display has a direct impact on young people’s smoking. In 2006, almost half (46%) of UK teenagers were aware of tobacco display at PoS and those professing an intention to smoke were more likely to recall brands that they had seen at the point of sale.

Despite a voluntary agreement stating that tobacco vending machines should be sited in places not regularly used by children, young people have little difficulty in making purchases since the machines are self-service and rarely supervised.

Plain packaging is important because it would help to reduce smoking uptake amongst children and young people. Plain packaging is also supported by the Chief Medical Officer and many other experts and international bodies.