Luciana Berger MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Public Health, responding to Government support for Labour’s policy on proxy purchasing and e-cigarettes, said:

“This is yet another u-turn on smoking from this Government.

"Less than a fortnight ago Ministers refused to support legislation that would have banned adults from buying cigarettes for children. Now they are proposing a watered-down version of a policy that Labour called for last year. Buying cigarettes for children should carry the same penalty as buying alcohol for underage drinkers.

"If David Cameron was serious about protecting children from smoking he would back Labour’s plans in full.

"Restricting the sale of e-cigarettes to under 18 year olds is a sensible step. E-cigarettes are an aide that can help many smokers who are trying to quit, but they shouldn’t be available to children.

"Ministers have been too close to the tobacco industry and are failing in their duty to protect future generations from the dangers of smoking.”