The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said e-cigarette manufacturers can now submit products to go through the same regulatory approvals process as other medicines.

This could mean that England becomes the first country in the world to prescribe e-cigarettes as a medical product but it requires approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

If the products receive approval, it will then be up to doctors to decide whether it would be appropriate to prescribe an e-cigarette to a patient who is looking to stop smoking.

Currently, cigarette alternatives are regulated as consumer products.

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The updated guidance comes after a consultation with the E-Cigarette Expert Working Group, a group of UK experts who provided independent oversight and advice to the MHRA.

Non-smokers and children are continued to be strongly advised against using e-cigarettes.