There is no evidence that experimentation with e-cigarettes leads to teenagers taking up smoking tobacco, a large study has found.
Just three per cent of children aged 11 to 16 regularly vape, and those who do are highly likely to already have smoked tobacco.
Among young people who have never smoked, regular use of e-cigarettes is as low as 0.1 per cent.
Rising popularity of the devices has led to heated debate, with some claiming that vaping is a pathway to taking up smoking.
Research earlier this month warned that teenagers who use electronic cigarettes are four times more likely to go on to smoke tobacco.
