Some young girls in Scotland are using e-cigarettes as an appetite suppressant, health experts have warned.

Girls are said to be using nicotine replacement products to curb hunger, raising concerns about unknown long-term health effects.

Vape shops and online stores in the UK ban the sale of e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18.

But there are growing concerns about whether flavoured products could reach children.

E-cigarettes may be useful for adults who quit smoking to avoid weight gain, according to a study involving public health expert Professor Linda Bauld.

But she said the use of them by young girls is concerning.

Professor Balder, professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, said: "We certainly need to be vigilant about this. Nicotine is an appetite suppressant and also increases metabolic rate, so if these young girls are using e-cigarettes to control their appetite, they may be doing so for good reason—because it does.

"Obviously, if it's related to eating disorders, that's very concerning."

“We found in our research that these are smokers — a different group — who have turned to vaping. They may have flavored vapes, not puddings. The bottom line is we need to keep these products away from young people. "

"Of course there is evidence that young people are using them, and these products are not intended for non-smokers or children - that's why we have an age of sale. But young people manage to address this in the same way as cigarettes. We need Make sure we enforce the policies we have now."

"Schools need to be aware of this and retailers need to make sure they don't end up in the hands of children."