The Dutch government is to ban the sale of fruit and other flavoured liquids for electronic cigarettes from October next year, broadcaster NOS reported on Thursday.

From that date, shops may only sell tobacco flavoured liquids, rather than sweeter flavourings which experts say have been encouraging youngsters to take up the habit.

A ban was first announced in 2000.

In addition, the packaging may no longer use photos or terminology which suggest the product contains something other than tobacco, such as ‘bad boy fuel’ or ‘OMGin’, NOS said.

Esther Croes, from addiction clinic Trimbos, described the ban as a step in the right direction. ‘The sweet tastes make the use of e-cigarettes and vapes particularly attractive to youngsters,’ she said.

Claims by sellers that e-cigarettes are a tool to help people stop smoking tobacco are not borne out by the facts, she said. Research indicates just 1.4% of Dutch adults regularly use an e-cigarette but one in five adults still smoke tobacco.