‘Urgent action’ needed to stop e-cig scourge as grim table ranks English kids among heaviest vapers in Europe

YOUNGSTERS in England are some of the heaviest vapers in Europe, figures show.

The country is ranked sixth out of 40 nations for e-cig use among 11 to 13-year-olds.

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Children here puff on them more than those in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada, the World Health Organisation report reveals.

Only kids in the Baltics and Eastern Europe vape more, with Bulgaria, Poland and Lithuania at the top of the table.

Thirty per cent of 15-year-old girls in England have used an e-cig in the past month — far higher than the European average of 21 per cent.

In Scotland and Wales, rates are lower for young teens but on a par with England by the age of 15.

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England also tops the table for under-age drinking, with a third of 11 and 13-year-olds having tried alcohol.

The report, by the WHO and the University of Glasgow, demands “urgent action”.

The university’s Dr Jo Inchley said: “Vaping in the UK is higher than the average across all the countries.

“Vapes are far too readily accessible to young people and the health risks are under-estimated.”

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Ministers are drawing up tougher laws banning e-cigarettes for under-18s and limiting flavours and packaging.

An Action on Smoking and Health poll last year found one in 25 kids aged 11 to 18 vape regularly.