URGENT action is needed to curb a “vaping epidemic” of addiction in young people, according to Ash Scotland.

The charity — formed decades ago by members of the Royal College of Physicians to battle tobacco use — says paediatricians have warned that vapes coming in bright packaging and fruit flavours are not only particularly attractive and addictive to young people, but “contain toxic chemicals” that “could seriously damage lung health over time.”

Ash Scotland’s Sheila Duffy welcomed UK and Scottish government commitment to regulate, but urged both to turn those commitments into action.

She said: “We welcome the commitment of the governments at Holyrood and Westminster to prioritise actions aimed at tackling the alarming upsurge of children using e-cigarettes.

“The scale of this public health challenge demands the introduction of swift and robust measures to bring an immediate halt to the exponential rise in vaping amongst Scotland’s children and young people over the past few years.

“Ash Scotland is calling for regulations to be laid before Parliament at the earliest opportunity as a vital step towards protecting the health of children now, and future generations.”

The Scottish government was contacted for comment.