UK watchdog launches AI-powered anti-vape ad crusade! The ad world just got a bit stricter for those selling vape pens and e-cigarettes on social media. No more flashy pics or tempting videos of these gadgets on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. But, if it’s a vape that doctors can prescribe, it gets a pass. Starting March 28, there's a new sheriff in town, and it's powered by AI. This smart system will be on the lookout for any rule-breakers, scanning social media far and wide. Shahriar Coupal, the big boss at CAP (they're the ones setting the ad rules), has a message: "Selling e-cigarettes on social media is a big no-no. It's shocking that some companies don’t play by the rules. We're telling them loud and clear: stop advertising these products on social media, or else." It seems a lot of these rule-breakers are small shops that might not even know they’re doing something wrong. They're trying to spread the word about their vape products online, maybe even getting some users to help them out. But CAP's got a warning for them: Get with the program, or face the consequences. They're serious about keeping these ads off your feed. CAP isn’t a government thing, but they have a big say in what's okay and what's not in ads. And the ASA (that's the Advertising Standards Agency) backs them up by making sure everyone follows the rules. Oh, and the UK’s not stopping there. They're really cracking down on vaping, especially trying to keep it away from kids, by banning those easy-to-get, throwaway vapes. So, dear parents, it's more important than ever to keep an eye on what pops up on your and your kids' social feeds. The fight against underage vaping just got a techy ally, and it means business.

Currently, vaping products are subject to VAT - but unlike tobacco, they are not also subject to a dedicated levy. Tobacco duty could also increase at the Budget, to ensure that vaping remains cheaper. Ministers fear that the relatively cheap cost of vaping means that the products are more accessible for young people and non-smokers.

Vaping is nowhere near as harmful as smoking cigarettes. But health experts agree that anyone who doesn't smoke should not start vaping, particularly children. Children's doctors say vaping may cause long-term damage to young people's lungs, hearts and brains.

For many people, dealing with cravings is one of the hardest parts of quitting vaping. That’s why it’s important to have a plan for how to deal with cravings when they hit.

Vapes containing the drug Spice put five schoolchildren in hospital after smoking them in south London. The incident involving five teenagers happened in Eltham, south-east London on January 29 and comes amid growing concern about the use of vapes by children. One of the five, all of whom were aged fourteen to sixteen, was put into an induced coma, reported The Mirror.

Electronic cigarettes have been called “harmful” by the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who also warned that their use should be better regulated to protect children and teenagers. The WHO has suggested that governments need to prevent “renormalising smoking behaviour” and should bring in measures to prevent non-smokers from starting to use e-cigarettes, amid fears that the array of different flavours and colours could “hook children on nicotine.”