A prohibition on selling vapes outside of pharmacies will push more people into the black market, say crime experts.
"It's one of the most likely outcomes of the current circumstance. We know that what happens is that illicit markets grow from that combination of consumer demand and some type of prohibition," Professor Bright said. "It partially depends on the difference in the price settings between what the chemists are going to offer and what the criminals offer just down the street," he said.
Professor Bright said the government was walking a "difficult line" between responding to health issues and law enforcement issues. "The reality is, if you want to be serious about stopping children getting access to vapes, you have to be serious about enforcement, and that's what our policy will do."Vaping businesses say they have been left in the lurch by a vape sales ban due to pass parliament and begin on Monday. They warn the closure of their businesses will push more people into the black market.
"We've managed to do it with other drugs like alcohol, so I think it's doable, we just need the willpower," Mr Pike said.