Smoking to return to pubs?
25 October, 2007
New electronic cigarette is given green light
Licensees could see a partial return to smoking in pubs, thanks to a new electronic cigarette from China. Smokers can use the battery-powered E-Cig indoors, as it does not contravene Department of Health (DoH) legislation on smoking.
The E-Cig allows smokers to get a nicotine hit without the need for the tar, fire and harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. A starter pack including a filter and charger costs £50, and the cigarette also emits a smoke-like vapour.
Scott Fraser, vice president of SBT who developed E-Cig, believes it offers users an “actual smoking experience”.
A DoH spokesperson said: “I can’t see any reason why the E-Cig couldn’t be used in pubs. The ban only covers smoking, not the use of nicotine.”