Smokers who spend time with people who vape are about 20 per cent more likely to try to quit, according to research that allays fears that e-cigarettes will “renormalise” tobacco.

Spending time with friends, family and colleagues who vape encourages smokers to try to give up by taking up e-cigarettes themselves, the study said. Britain should also be relaxed about the proliferation of vaping in public places, those behind the research said.