SWEET maker Nestle is battling to ensure it's iconic Polo mints brand is not used to promote vaping e-liquids.

The move comes amid rising concern over manufacturers using sweet type flavours which could encourage the use of vaping products by young teenagers.

Nestle say it is "taking all necessary measures" to stop the manufacture and sale of some e-liquid products which it warns infringe trademark rights.

A number of vaping liquids have controversially been sold online as 'Polo' or 'Poloo' products. One advert stated: "Long lasting fresh breath. Poloo fresh mint," with each 'o' represented by a Polo Mint sweet. One even gave a free packet of Polo's with the product.

Another advert states: "Sussex Vapour. Polo Mint," again with a Polo Mint sweet appearing in the advert.

A spokesperson contacted through the Sussex Vapour website said they had not used the 'Polo' e-liquid branding for years after realising it might be breaching trademark rights and it is now just sold as mint flavour. They said they are also doing their best to remove images with Polo on their product which can still be seen extensively on the internet.

A Nestlé spokeswoman said it took the misuse of its brands 'very seriously.'

She added: "We are familiar with some e-liquid products, which infringe our trademark rights and we are taking all necessary measures in collaboration with Trading Standards to stop the manufacture and sale of these products."

She said the company was aware of a number of infringing products which are produced outside the UK and, depending on the jurisdiction, it was possible that could make it more difficult to take action against manufacturers.

Polos have been a family favourite since the "mint with a hole" was first produced by Rowntree in York in 1948. They're still made in the York factory which was taken over by the Nestle group.

Use of the Polo brand comes amid mounting fears worldwide that using sweets in e-liquids and in advertising is encouraging teenagers to vape. In America, the Food and Drug Administration said the rising teenage use of e-cigarettes is an 'epidemic' and ordered manufacturers to reverse the trend. The makers of poloo e-liquid could not be contacted.