The NSW Government put on hold laws to restrict minors from obtaining e-cigarettes after members of Parliament were approached by a lobby firm representing major tobacco companies.

The revelation comes as the latest Global Drug Survey shows e-cigarette use has nearly doubled in the past 12 months.

Legislation to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors was due to be passed last month, but the government adjourned the bill before amendments proposed by Labor and the Greens to place further restrictions on the industry were debated.

Greens health spokesman Jeremy Buckingham said that, in the interim, a lobby firm that listed British American Tobacco and Nicoventures among its clients, called his office to find out how much parliamentary support there was for the amendments – which would have restricted the advertisement, display and public use of e-cigarettes in line with tobacco.

"It's clear that big tobacco are pushing e-cigarettes and vaping, and want to see a whole new generation addicted to their nicotine products," Mr Buckingham said.

"That's why it is crucial that the Parliament act swiftly to treat e-cigarettes like tobacco is treated. The government should resist pressure from an industry whose product killed 100 million people in the 20th century."

The government adjourned the bill after it became clear that the amendments would have the support of the crossbench.

A spokeswoman for NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner said Nicoventures requested a meeting with the minister but it did not take place.

The bill was adjourned while poles and wires took precedence and would return in the next sitting period, she said.

But Labor health spokesman Walt Secord said the bill could have been amended in minutes and would be law by now.

"The Liberals know that the amendments by Labor and Greens are sensible and have the widespread support of the Cancer Council and the Heart Foundation," Mr Secord said.

"It would be in the best interests of the community that e-cigarettes are treated like tobacco."

The Global Drug Survey 2015, which was conducted in partnership with global media organisations including Fairfax Media, has found that the prevalence of e-cigarette use has nearly doubled, as the habit is promoted as a method to quit smoking.

Use among current and ex-tobacco users has increased from 6.7 per cent to 11.4 per cent in the past 12 months.

In Australia, prevalence rose from 6.7 to 8.4 per cent.

But only 3.5 per cent of current and former smokers used them every day.

Survey founder Adam Winstock said the increase in prevalence was probably because of the commercialisation of the industry.

"There are lots of companies out there trying to get a foothold in the market and either they can make a lot of money before serious regulation comes in, or the best way to make money as an electronic cigarette manufacturer is to get bought out by the tobacco industry," Dr Winstock said.

University of Sydney public health professor Simon Chapman noted in the British Medical Journal that every big tobacco company has launched or acquired a line of e-cigarettes, and some are now advocating for them to be freely advertised.