The boss of public health in Kent has warned there is no evidence vaping is a better long-term alternative to smoking.

Andrew Scott-Clark said vaping is "absolutely supported" as a way of quitting tobacco, but not as a replacement.

He told the health reform and public health cabinet committee: "The evidence from Public Health England shows the e-cigarettes are safe when it is associated with a quit attempt to get people from smoking to quitting.

"There is no evidence at the moment at in the long term e-cigarettes are safe.

"The NHS Stop Smoking service will absolutely support the use of vaping as part of a quit attempt as in the short term it is absolutely safe and much safer than smoking tobacco.

"But we can't guarantee the safety in the long term so we are not advocating that everyone who smokes switches to long term vaping."

Despite fears young people will pick up a nicotine addiction from vaping, evidence suggests a new generation of smokers has not been introduced to the drug.

Mr Scott-Clark added: "We do know that vaping shops have a code of national practice and if any body who comes in who has never vaped or smoked before, they will give them liquid without nicotine in it.

"That says a lot because there is some responsibility out there amongst our retailers."

Cllr John Wright told the council chamber that insurance companies are also not convinced smoking a vape is healthier than a cigarette.

He said: "It's the view of the insurance companies not to reduce people's premiums if they vape as well as smoke.

"They see it as exactly the same.

"I think that's the message they don't see vaping to be a long term alternative."

Picture credit to Vaping360.com.