British children are being targeted by dangerous and unregulated vaping products containing high levels of nicotine, doctors and legal experts say.

Trading standards in England and Wales suggest the market is flooded with unsafe e-cigarettes aimed at children, according to the BBC.

E-cigarettes are a growing problem in British schools, teachers say, as children are drawn to sweet-tasting e-cigarettes. Although it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to children and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes must be registered, Trade Standards has found that shops are selling e-cigarettes and liquids to children.

The BBC says there are now hundreds of complaints every month about the sale of e-cigarettes to children, with a recent survey finding that a third of 16- and 17-year-olds have tried e-cigarettes.

According to health charity ASH, 14 percent of 16- and 17-year-olds and 7 percent of 11- to 17-year-olds are now regular vapers.

Inspections of shops by BBC Radio 5live with trading standards officers in Newcastle found two out of 10 shops were willing to sell vaping products illegally to girls aged 15 and 17.

The BBC said a large number of e-cigarettes not designed for the UK market were smuggled into the country.