That use of electronic cigarettes, and in particular those that do not resemble cigarettes in any way, re-normalise smoking & smoking behaviour, and undermine public smoking bans.

My comments:

The act of smoking involves taking a match or lighter and setting fire to a cigarette, cigar or pipe tobacco, which then creates not only an opportunity to inhale but a regular side-stream of smoke. E-cigarettes, in whatever shape or form, do not create this side-stream. Neither do users have to light the appliances with either matches or lighter. Furthermore, vapers do not require ashtrays, or regularly flick their devices to get rid of ash. Nor do they stub their devices out, either in an object such as an ashtray, or on the floor. In fact, they can simply put their device in their pocket when not in use.

Vaping is permitted in many places of work, pubic bars and restaurants in the UK. There is no evidence whatsoever that owners of such establishments are struggling either to distinguish between the use of e-cigarettes and the use of lit tobacco products in their establishments, nor to maintain their smoke-free policies despite the presence of people using e-cigarettes.

I would specifically like to ask the Directors of Public Health what steps they took to research the use of e-cigarettes in those places that allow it, what responses were given by the 22% of Directors who don't believe a ban should be enacted, and whether they think a ban would expose more or less children to the act of vaping were vaping only permitted outside, rather than inside, places of work, public bars and restaurants. I would also like them to explain why they don't consider ASH's recommendations - that it is a matter for each individual establishment to decide - suitable for the British public.

Update 2015-01-11

I asked for evidence. I was fobbed off with a waffling, random mixture of evidence-free opinion. No mention, for example, that after 10 years of vapouriser use in UK (& at least 5 years of widespread use in workplaces, pubs, cafes & restaurants), both the ONS & ASH (via the Smoking Toolkit survey) confirm that vapouriser uptake amongst never-smokers is so astonishingly low it is almost immeasurable.

Here is their reply:

Dear Dan,

Thank you for your email concerning the use of nicotine vapourisers and associated products.
ADPH is currently considering the emerging evidence on the impact of nicotine vapourisers, and we are cognisant of arguments for the potential impact of nicotine vapourisers as a means of quitting or reducing harm by substituting for conventional tobacco products. However, we believe that more research is needed to establish clear evidence of safety and their long term impact on health – as well as on wider questions relating to re-normalisation of smoking behaviour, and the impact on young people of product development, advertising and marketing.
As you will be aware, there are concerns that the marketing of nicotine vapourisers and their widespread use in enclosed public spaces will undermine the successful efforts which have been made to de-normalise smoking behaviour. As such, on-going surveillance is required to assess whether nicotine vapourisers and associated products may act as a gateway product to the use of tobacco and nicotine addiction for ex-smokers and never smokers. Until the evidence is clearer we believe that the precautionary principle ought to apply.
We are working in collaboration with other Public Health organisations to support the development of evidence based approaches to nicotine vapourisers.
Our interim position statement on nicotine vapourisers and associated products summarises the collective views from a survey of our members and we will continue to canvass the views of our members and to review our policy position during 2015 – both in the light of further research and evidence, and in response to product development.

Best wishes
Julia

Julia Ellis
Policy Manager
Association of Directors of Public Health

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