BANS on e-cigarettes should be widened to outlaw non-nicotine vaping and close a loophole that allows the importation of prohibited devices with a prescription, doctors groups have demanded.

Warning that the long-term health impacts of electronic cigarettes are not known, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians has rejected tobacco company claims the devices are able help people quit.

The Australian Medical Association and Quit Victoria are also calling for tougher regulations on e-cigarettes as they become increasingly popular in Melbourne’s bars and clubs.

The sale, use and importation of e-cigarettes containing nicotine is prohibited in Victoria and all other states.

However, the sale of almost identical non-nicotine electronic cigarettes is allowed at stores across the state, with many sold in flavours that appeal to children.

While nicotine vaporisers can be legally used overseas, RACP president Prof Nicholas Talley said there was little evidence about their safety and Australian regulators needed to maintain bans.

“We must step with caution when it comes to promoting e-cigarettes as a safer alternative because the jury is still out as to whether there are no side effects,” Prof Talley said.

“We don’t know if e-cigarettes help people quit traditional cigarettes, and even if they do it is too early to rule out any possible long-term health effects that they may or may not cause.

“It took many years for the serious health impacts of smoking tobacco to be realised so to say that e-cigarettes are the solution is premature.”

Health Minister Jill Hennessey’s spokeswoman, Evelyn Ek, said the minister is consulting with experts about the issue of e-cigarettes.