A South Delta father is upset that a store recently sold his young son an electronic cigarette.

While the device contains no nicotine, just a flavoured vapour that can be inhaled and exhaled like smoke, Joe Braico was left shocked and angry the store would sell it to a child.

Braico said his 11-year-old son bought the device from Tsawwassen Lottery Centre at Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall on Christmas Eve.

"One of his friends had bought one there earlier in the week, he thought it was pretty cool and he wanted one for himself," he said, adding his son thought it was "just like candy."

Braico said he was shocked when his son showed him the electronic cigarette later that afternoon.

The $10 device is designed to look like a real cigarette. Powered by a battery, it has fake ashes that glow brightly when the user inhales. A flavoured liquid is converted to vapour, which can be inhaled and exhaled.

Jasper Lee, who sold Braico's son the blueberry-flavoured electronic cigarette, said because the device doesn't contain nicotine he sees no problem selling it to anyone who wants to buy one. It is not illegal to sell electronic cigarettes to minors, and Lee said his store is not the only one to do so.

"Every store is the same," Lee said. "It's not just me."

Electronic cigarettes have grown in popularity in recent years with many smokers turning to them in an effort to quit smoking tobacco cigarettes.

The devices come in different forms, with some looking more like real cigarettes. Most come with a replaceable cartridge filled with a liquid that, when the user inhales, is turned into a vapour. The vapour can come in a variety of flavours, as well as with or without nicotine. The vapour also comes in a variety of nicotine levels.

Paul Bergen, a consultant with the Electronic Cigarette Trade Association of Canada (ECTA), said the Tsawwassen case is an anomaly and "does not represent e-cigarette retailers or suppliers.

"Though e-cigarettes are still largely unregulated, e-cigarette associations and retailers have typically refused to sell to minors," he said. "Even though the product is relatively safe, unlike cigarettes, the same general guidelines are in place as far as dealing with customers.

"This is not so much a health concern (the child would be in greater danger sitting around a campfire or skateboarding) than a breach of common sense," Bergen said. "E-cigarettes, like cigarettes, coffee and alcohol, are adult pleasures and are not meant for children."

Bergen said there are no government regulations around the sale of the non-nicotine e-cigarettes, but Health Canada does recommend all Canadians steer clear of electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine.

Braico said he doesn't have a problem with electronic cigarettes, just the fact that his 11-year-old son was allowed to buy one.

"I don't care if it's legal," Braico said. "I don't think it's right to sell it to kids."