Vaping ‘to be banned outside schools and hospitals’ in England

A new study found 1 million people in England vape despite having never been regular smokers, a seven-fold increase in three years. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA

Ministers are reportedly planning to ban vaping in playgrounds, hospital grounds and near schools in an attempt to prevent children from taking up the habit.

Wes Streeting, the health secretary, is considering restricting the use of e-cigarettes outdoors in England with Chris Whitty, the country’s chief medical officer for England, said to favour the move.