The cabinet is planning to restrict sales of electronic cigarettes to people aged 18 and over, junior health minister Martin van Rijn said on Friday.

From January 1, the age at which teenagers can buy tobacco products is being increased from 16 to 18.

The minister said in an answer to Labour MPs’ questions that it would be ‘undesirable’ for ‘youngsters who do not smoke to develop a nicotine addiction by smoking e-cigarettes’.