Trading Standards chiefs are calling for a ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes to children because of fears they could ingest potentially lethal doses of nicotine.
The battery-powered "e-cigarettes" look like real cigarettes but users inhale a mist of nicotine instead of smoke.
However, some of the e-cigarettes contain up to 18mg of liquid nicotine in refill cartridges which could prove fatal to children if swallowed, The Sun reported.
Trading standards officers are urging the Government to make it illegal to sell e-cigarettes to under-18s and for their packets to carry health warnings.
Designed in China, the cigarettes are being marketed as a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking.
Anti-smoking group Ash said while it welcomed "safe and satisfying" alternatives to smoking, it had seen no proof that e-cigarettes are safe.
A spokesman told BBC Radio 5Live: "We're not entirely sure these products are safe and that is the problem. We haven't had the tests through yet that show they are safe and that is why the regulators are worried."
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