'The flavours are very much geared at younger users.
'We have had a huge culture shift in the social acceptability of smoking since the ban in public places.
'The difficulty with e-cigarettes is the majority of devices mimic cigarettes and therefore it potentially normalises smoking.'
Recent research suggested as many as 30million people across Europe have tried e-cigarettes.
And a separate study found that by January this year, there were 466 brands of e-cigarettes available online through English language websites.
The researchers also found 7,764 'unique flavours' on these sites.
Meanwhile, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has recognised
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The professional body said: 'The RCP recognises that electronic cigarettes and other novel nicotine devices can provide an effective, affordable and readily available retail alternative to conventional cigarettes.
'These innovations could make harm reduction a reality for smokers.
'The RCP also recognises that these new products present potential risks as well as opportunities for individual and population health, and therefore advocates proportionate regulation to maximise the overall public health benefit.'
Professor Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said: 'Although there are concerns that e-cigarettes might lead people into smoking, research has found only 1 per cent of never-smokers have ever tried e-cigarettes.
'While e-cigarette use in England is rising, encouragingly
Marlboro Wholesale Price smoking rates continue to fall.
'Balanced and effective regulation of e-cigarettes as medicines can manage the risks and maximise the potential for these products to replace smoking.'
