The future of vape shops in Watford could be thrown into doubt if a government plan to ban disposable vapes goes ahead, businesses have warned.

Proposals were announced on January 28 to potentially ban the disposable nicotine devices to protect young people’s health amid fears of youth vaping.

The government is also considering limiting available flavours, introducing plain packaging, and changing their display in shops to avoid advertising to children.

The owner of Vape Zone, which also sells fragrances at 52a Market Street, had not heard of the possible ban but warned it threatened his business if enacted.

Watford Observer: Vape Zone on Market Street.Vape Zone on Market Street. (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “I would close the business and have to find something else to do.

“It is obviously a bad feeling but we are waiting to see what is going to happen.”

Watford Observer: The shop depends of the sale of vapes and fragrances.The shop depends of the sale of vapes and fragrances. (Image: Newsquest)

He criticised the plans to ban disposable vapes, arguing “they’re still going to find a way to get them”. 

The government announced the plans in response to its consultation on smoking and vaping launched in October.

It said the number of children vaping in the past three years had tripled, with nine per cent of 11 to 15-year-olds now using them.

The proposal also includes a new law to create a “smoke-free generation”, by making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1 2009.

Harmeet Singh Sidana, an employee at Watford Convenience Store on Market Street, said the ban on disposable vapes would have a “huge impact” on the business.

He said: “It will hurt sales and we might not be able to pay our bills.

“We sell three to five boxes of vapes on the weekend with 10 in each.”

Watford Observer: An employee at Watford Convenience Store said he understood restricting vapes' colourful packaging.An employee at Watford Convenience Store said he understood restricting vapes' colourful packaging. (Image: Newsquest)

But he said he understood limiting the devices’ advertising to children as they often have underage customers attempt to purchase vapes.

An employee at Sadie’s Home Decor, in High Street, said they would be ok, but added: “Of course it is going to be damaging for the business, we sell one rechargeable vape a day compared to 10 to 20 disposable ones.”

But he acknowledged the possible benefit for young people, revealing the store once had a boy aged around six attempting to buy a vape.