The UK government has announced a ban on the sale of disposable vapes and restrictions on the variety of flavors available, in order to combat nicotine addiction among children. The government is also sticking to its controversial proposal to prohibit today’s youth from purchasing cigarettes in the future.

The plan details, to be announced on Monday, will be revealed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

It is currently illegally to sell vapes or tobacco to children under 18 in the U.K., but officials say that youth vaping has tripled in the past three years, and that cheap, colorful disposable vapes are a “key driver.”

In addition to prohibiting disposable vapes, the government plans to limit flavors that are targeted towards children and require manufacturers to use less appealing packaging for vapes.

Sunak stated that one of the most concerning developments currently is the increase in young people participating in vaping. Therefore, it is crucial that we take action before it becomes widespread.

The long-term effects of using electronic cigarettes are uncertain, and the nicotine they contain can lead to strong dependence. While vaping may aid in smoking cessation, promoting e-cigarettes to minors is unacceptable.

The government led by Sunak has confirmed that it will continue with a previously announced plan to incrementally increase the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes. This means that individuals born after Jan. 1, 2009 will never be able to legally purchase cigarettes.

Health experts have embraced the concept, but it has sparked backlash from certain members of the Conservative Party who see it as an overreach of government control. The proposal was based on a similar plan in New Zealand, which was abandoned in late 2019 following a change in leadership.

The population of smokers in the U.K. has decreased by 66% since the 1970s, but approximately 6.4 million people, accounting for about 13% of the total population, continue to smoke, as per government data.