Almost two thirds of adults (60%) say that current age verification methods for buying vapes are too easy to bypass for under-18s, according to a survey.
The report, from tech firm IKE Tech, surveyed 2,000 adults and 500 15–17-year-olds in the UK and found that 79% of all respondents believed that underage users buy vapes online, and 74% said they purchased in store but with minimal or non-existent age checks.
A further 90% believed vapes are often given or shared by friends and siblings.
The report suggested that digital verification could be an approach to restricting underage access, with 53% of respondents supporting checks at the point of sale.
Half of respondents (52%) also supported verification at the point of use, such as a digital ‘child lock’ with biometric identification.
Over 80% of adult respondents said they would purchase vapes that featured this technology if it helped stop use among young people.
John Patterson, president of IKE Tech, said: ‘Now more than ever, the world needs responsible, technology-driven solutions that go beyond traditional enforcement.
‘While the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a welcome first step, by moving beyond analogue measures to invest in technological safeguards like blockchain-based, point-of-use age verification, we can make this vision a reality, set new global standards, and protect young people from harm.’
It comes as the ban on single-use vapes came into effect in June, which intends to limit children’s access to cheap vapes and reduce their environmental impact.
The Tobacco and Vapes bill, which is making its way through parliament, would also prohibit smoking for anyone born after 1 January 2009, as well as restricting the packaging, marketing and flavours of vapes.
The rapid rise in vaping in Britain has slowed, according to research published in April that found that the prevalence of vaping had remained ‘relatively stable’ since January 2024.
However, in October 2024, it was found that one million people vape despite never having been regular smokers.
