NEW research published in BMJ Open shows that primary school-aged children in Wales are more likely to have used e-cigarettes than tobacco.

Six percent of 10 to 11-year-olds and 12 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds have used an e-cigarette at least once.

It is only among 15 to 16-year-old pupils where the percentage having ever smoked overtakes the percentage of those who have ever used an e-cigarette.

The research, carried out by Cardiff University on behalf of the Welsh Government, used data from two national surveys in 2013-14 among primary and secondary school pupils.

Chief medical officer Dr Ruth Hussey said: “It’s vital that we help young people in Wales lead long and healthy lives and protect them from the harm caused by tobacco. I am concerned that e-cigarettes could normalise smoking among a generation which has grown up in a largely smoke-free society.

“This research demonstrates that e-cigarettes are being used by young people who have never smoked. We should be doing everything we can to prevent a new generation becoming addicted to nicotine, because it is a highly addictive substance and has been shown to impact on brain development. The Public Health White Paper set out proposals to restrict the use of e-cigarettes in public places in line with restrictions on conventional cigarettes as a way of protecting health.”