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Electronic cigs banned from pub
A FURIOUS smoker has hit out at a local pub after he was banned from using an electronic cigarette.
Derek Green says he has never had a problem at other venues when he has been inhaling the 'e-cigarette', which does not contain tobacco and does not create smoke, although they do emit a vapour or mist.
The products are advertised as a healthier alternative to real cigarettes because users can inhale nicotine without tar, tobacco or carbon monoxide.
They look real, but are battery-powered and typically made of stainless steel.
They are now appearing in street markets and retailers as more and more consumers try to get around the smoking ban.
But Mr Green, of Thornton, says when he asked if he could use the product at The Harvester Queensway, St Annes, at the weekend, he was refused permission.
The 50-year-old said: "Just out of politeness I asked if I could use my electronic cigarette and was told I could not by a female member of staff.
"After the meal I asked to speak to the person in charge and was told by another member of staff that I could not use it there.'
"He told me he was a smoker and was going out to have a cigarette. I can't understand what the difficulty was, as these things are legal to use in public places.
"They do physically look like cigarettes, but are longer and thinner and shiny. They don't emit smoke or fumes, it's just a vapour. I wasn't going to use it in the restaurant, just at the bar.
"I have smoked for 30 years and am using these as a way of quitting, I have cut down my cigarette use already.
"I have used it in other bars and restaurants and never had a problem before. I always ask, just to be polite, and once I explain what they are to people they always say it is fine."
A spokesman for Harvester Queensway said: "These cigarettes look and behave like a standard cigarette but their use is relatively uncommon in the restaurant.
"Therefore to avoid any confusion for our staff or customers the gentleman was asked and agreed to smoke in the designated external area."
E-cigarettes are banned in Australia and UK regulation advisers have reportedly asked the Government to restrict their sale to over 18s and require them to carry warning labels.
There has been some debate over the health implications for users of e-cigarettes and the World Health Organisation has raised concerns.
Anti-smoking group Ash says many of the products are made in China, where quality control is "not very good."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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