Councils have demanded higher fines for businesses illegally selling disposable vapes.
The Local Government Association (LGA) called for ministers to amend forthcoming legislation to allow harsher penalties for those flouting the law.
If approved by MPs, the Tobacco and Vaping Bill would ban the sale of disposable vapes, with the maximum fine for a breach proposed at £100.
The LGA said this was lower than the potential penalty for failing to install ‘no smoking’ signs.
Kaya Comer Schwartz, public health spokesperson for the LGA, said: “We’re delighted that the government is taking decisive action to ban disposable vapes.
“However, proposed penalties will be a drop in the ocean to a minority of unscrupulous businesses looking to make a quick buck after the ban comes into place.
“Allowing councils to issue bigger fines would act as a strong deterrent and ensure the ban on disposable vapes is effective as well as creating a new smokefree generation.
“We must do all we can to protect our children and our communities from the harm these single-use products can cause while ensuring e-cigarettes are available for those long-term smokers looking to quit.”
