RPS calls for e-cigarette sales to be limited to adults

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has called on pharmacies to ensure they do not sell electronic cigarettes to customers under the age of 18.

Howard Duff, the organisation's director for England, has urged pharmacists to stick to the voluntary age restrictions outlined by e-cigarette manufacturers, which suggest they should not be provided to those beneath the legal age for smoking.

However, he reiterated the society's stance that it cannot officially endorse pharmacy sales of e-cigarettes, due to the current lack of any licensing system for these products.

Mr Duff said: "Until there is a licensed product, the RPS cannot support the sale of e-cigarettes in pharmacies. We recognise individual pharmacies may sell them, in which case they should not be supplied to those under age."

At present, e-cigarettes are classified as a consumer product and fall under trading standards regulations, rather than being licensed as medicines – despite the fact they contain nicotine.

However, their legal status is changing, with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency taking on responsibility for regulating the sale of e-cigarettes last year.