Three times as many children in Wales have tried e-cigarettes as have smoked tobacco, according to new figures.
Six per cent of 10-to-11-year-old children have used the electronic cigarettes compared to two per cent trying real tobacco, a study by the Welsh Government found.
The Childhood Exposure To Tobacco Smoke study said children who tried e-cigarettes were seven times more likely to say they might start smoking within two years.
They were also more likely to use e-cigarettes if their parents were smokers.
Heath officials said the findings demonstrated concerns that using the devices could become a nicotine "gateway".
Wales's Health Minister Mark Drakeford said the findings shone further light on the potential impact of e-cigarettes on young people.
"I am concerned the use of e-cigarettes may act as a gateway to, and re-normalise, smoking, especially for a generation who have grown up in a largely smoke-free society."
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