Prime minister questioned over vapes advertising on sports kits
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Blackburn Rovers FC has faced criticism before for having a vape brand sponsor their kits
Concerns have been raised about vape companies appearing on football kits as sponsors.
During Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), which gives elected members of parliament (MPs) the chance to ask the prime minister about different issues, MP Kirsten Oswald from the SNP, asked if vape companies should be banned from advertising on sports kits.
The question was raised ahead of a new law that aims to make vapes less appealing to children and will see restrictions on flavours, packaging and how they are sold in the UK.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded by saying that decisions on sponsorship were for teams to make themselves.
What are the concerns about vape sponsors?
Kirsten Oswald, the MP for East Renfrewshire in Scotland, believes that having vape companies on sports kits "sends entirely the wrong message to young people" and may encourage underage smoking and vaping.
According to research done by Action on Smoking and Health, one in five children had tried vaping in 2023.
WATCH: Why are people worried about young people vaping?
Blackburn Rovers football club are currently sponsored by Totally Wicked, a brand that sells vapes and e-cigarette products and the company's logo appears on their team shirts.
Last year, a spokesperson for the club defended their team kit sponsors, saying: "We have seen no evidence to suggest that our sponsorship has encouraged an uptake of vaping among children.
"Vaping has a positive and proven role in supporting the reduction and ultimate eradication of smoking within our communities."
St Helens Rugby Football Club are also sponsored by the brand, but instead of a kit sponsorship, their home ground was renamed to the Totally Wicked Stadium
What are the rules on football shirt sponsorship?
There are strict rules about who can and can't sponsor football shirts, especially with young players or children's kits.
The English Football Association (FA) guidelines state that no products or services "detrimental to the welfare, health or general interest of young persons", or anything that is "otherwise considered inappropriate", can appear on kits worn by under 18s.
This includes items that have age restrictions, like alcohol, gambling and vaping. Advertising for products that contain tobacco, like cigarettes, is banned completely from football sponsorship.
The FA rules mean that Blackburn Rovers' child and youth kits do not feature the Totally Wicked brand.
In January, 15-year-old football player Rory Finneran made his debut for the team, wearing a shirt without the vape sponsor
What does the NHS say about vaping?
According to the NHS, evidence shows that vapes are less harmful than cigarettes, and can be helpful for those looking to quit smoking.
However they advise that young people and non-smokers should not take up vaping.
Children's doctors say vaping may cause long-term damage to young people's health.
Nicotine contained within vapes can be highly addictive.
What are the UK laws on vaping?
In April, MPs voted to ban cigarettes for anyone born after 2009, which is currently going through processes to become law.
It is already illegal for vapes to be sold to under 18s in the UK, but as part of the new law, restrictions are planned in an effort to make vapes less appealing to children.
They include:
reducing the use of flavours designed to appeal to children
introducing plain packaging
changing the way vapes are displayed in shops
The government has said that it's also committed to banning the sale and supply of disposable vapes, planned to take effect from April 2025.
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