Experts say it is not yet known what harm the tobacco-free devices could inflict¹（造成） and that their contents could be damaging young people's health.

 

An estimated 1.3m people in the UK use e-cigarettes which were designed to help smokers² quit.

 

Ministers also plan to make it illegal for adults to buy traditional cigarettes for anyone under 18.

 

'Irresponsible adults'

 

They want to crack down on the number of young people smoking by bringing the law in line with restrictions³ on the sale of alcohol.

 

The new rules could be in force by the autumn and may mean anyone caught buying cigarettes for a child could be given a ￡50 fixed⁴ penalty notice or a fine of up to ￡2,500.

 

"We must do all we can to help children lead a healthy life," Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said.

 

"That's why this measure is designed to help protect children from the dangers of being bought cigarettes by irresponsible adults - something that I hope concerned parents and responsible retailers⁵ will welcome."

 

Some 41% of 15-year-olds who smoke say they usually buy their cigarettes from someone else, rather than from a shop, according to Department of Health figures.

 

But while smoking rates have fallen to their lowest ever level, experts fear the electronic substitutes could be encouraging teenagers to take up the habit.

 

E-cigarettes, popular with teenagers, deliver a hit of nicotine⁶ and emit water vapour to mimic⁷ the feeling and look of smoking.

 

"We do not yet know the harm that e-cigarettes can cause to adults let alone to children, but we do know they are not risk free," Prof Dame⁸ Sally Davies, England's chief medical officer, said.

 

"E-cigarettes can produce toxic⁹ chemicals and the amount of nicotine and other chemical constituents¹⁰ and contaminants, including vaporised flavourings, varies between products meaning they could be extremely damaging to young people's health."

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