THE government must act now over a three-fold rise in vaping among children, teaching union NASUWT has said.

The number of youngsters using vapes has tripled in the past three years with a staggering 20.5 per cent having tried vaping, according to charity Action on Smoking & Health (Ash) figures.

A union survey found that 85 per cent of teachers believe vaping is a problem on school premises, with three in four saying it has worsened over the past year.