Responding to the announcement that disposable vapes will be banned next year, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:

“Today’s announcement that a ban on disposable vapes will come into effect next year is a welcome and positive first step, and vindication of campaigning by the NASUWT.

“Vaping was always intended to be a measure to help people stop smoking, yet in recent years more and more children who have never smoked are becoming addicted to the habit.

“This is having a significant impact on health, concentration and learning and teachers and headteachers are having to deal with the fallout of vapes being used in schools.

“Our surveying of members found that 85% of teachers said vaping is a problem on school premises.

“We now need to see greater resources for schools to deal with the problems caused by this health epidemic.”