A mother has complained after her 14-year-old son's school confiscated the e-cigarette he was using to quit smoking.

Mason Dunn, who has a 10-a-day habit, was caught vaping at Kearsley Academy in Greater Manchester where there is a strict no-smoking policy.

But his mother Sue Dunn, a van driver from Bolton, says he was using the device in an attempt to kick the habit, which began after his father died when he was 12.

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Mason Dunn's mother Sue (left, with her son right) has complained after his school confiscated his e-cigarette

The family bought him the electronic cigarette last year - though there are currently no restrictions on under-18s buying them - to encourage him to cut down and eventually quit.

His 42-year-old mother explained the situation to his teachers and stressed that Mason would not use the e-cigarette in open view or in front of younger children.

But principal Suzanne Pountain refused her plea, adding that the school premises is a no-smoking site and it has a 'duty of care' to discourage children from taking up the habit.

The school, which was branded 'good' in its latest Ofsted report this year, says it has also referred Mason to its nurse on several occasions.

He was bought the electronic device by his family in a bid to help him cut down on his 10-a-day smoking habit

Kearsley Academy has 487 students - smaller than average but the proportion of disadvantaged students supported by the pupil premium much larger than the national average.

Miss Dunn, who is a single mother, said: 'I am not happy about the fact that he smokes in the first place, but we have tried everything to help him stop.

'We have tried patches and have been to the doctor, but nothing worked, so my eldest son bought him an e-cigarette and it has helped him stop smoking cigarettes. He has really made an effort.

'I went into school and explained the situation but was told it is against the school policy.

'He came home from school in a terrible state because he needed nicotine. We have tried to wean him off the e-cigarettes as well, but it is helping.

Principal Suzanne Pountain (pictured) refused to allow Mason to use the e-cigarette at school

'If it helps to prevent people from developing cancer at a later stage, I think it should be allowed.'

After swapping to the electronic device at the start of the summer, the teenager managed to avoid smoking any cigarettes but since going back to school this month he has taken it up again.

Mason said: 'It feels like the school don't want me to stop smoking.

'It is really irritating because they shout at me when I have got a cigarette and tell me to stop and then when I try to quit, they tell me to stop doing that as well.

'It is really hard and I don't know what to do next.'

Suzanne Pountain, principal of the school where 58 per cent of students achieve A* - C grade at GCSE, said: 'Kearsley Academy is a no smoking site. We have a duty of care to our students to reinforce this and discourage them from doing so.

'As a healthy school we encourage students to lead healthy lifestyles and to make healthy choices.

'We offer students access to the school nurse and if necessary pathways such as the smoke cessation programme, if this is needed.

'We will continue to work with and support Mason within the guidelines of our policy.

'For the safeguarding of all our students, smoking, including the use of any nicotine inhalation devices are not allowed.'

The e-cigarette has since been returned to Mason's mother, as per the school's policy on smoking.

Battery powered e-cigarettes are an alternative way of consuming nicotine, without inhaling harmful chemicals such as tar and carbon monoxide.

The e-cigarette converts liquid nicotine into a mist which the smoker inhales.

A recent report carried out on behalf of Public Health England concluded that they are 95 per cent less harmful than tobacco, and that they could be prescribed on the NHS in future to help smokers quit.

However concerns have been raised about the possible inconsistencies of quality in e-cigarettes, and whether they are completely safe.

There are currently no restrictions on those under the age of 18 buying e-cigarettes but a new policy will be introduced on October 1 making it illegal for retailers to sell them to them.

The new law however does not make it illegal for under-18s to use e-cigarettes in public but it is an offence for an adult to purchase one on behalf of a child.

Those that do may be issued with a fine of £90, reduced to £60 if it is paid within 15 days.

A Department for Education spokesman said bans on products such as e-cigarettes were a matter for individual schools.