SMOKING: The number of electronic cigarette smokers has tripled over the past two years with more than two million adults now regularly smoking them, a survey revealed yesterday.

Figures released by health charity Ash show that the number of adults in Britain using the devices rose from an estimated 700,000 in 2012 to 2.1 million this year.

Nearly two-thirds of users said they also smoked real cigarettes, with the other third being ex-smokers.

TRANSPORT: Last ditch talks aimed at averting strikes by London Underground (LU) workers in a row over ticket office closures are being held.

Members of transport union RMT are set to walk out for 48 hours from 9pm today and for three days from the same time the following Monday.

Passengers have been warned to expect disruption to Tube services as well as delays on other forms of transport in the capital.

EXTREMISM: The Electoral Commission should face a “full investigation” over its decision to allow an extremist party to use a slogan featuring murdered soldier Lee Rigby, the government said yesterday.

The watchdog issued an apology for allowing far-right Britain First to use “Remember Lee Rigby” on voting slips for the European elections on May 22 — the first anniversary of Mr Rigby’s murder near Woolwich Barracks in London.