Wales may ban e-cigarettes in enclosed public areas

Wednesday 02 April 2014 16.47
The health impact of e-cigarettes is disputed
The health impact of e-cigarettes is disputed



The proposal comes amid a fierce debate over the health impact of e-cigarettes, which do not contain tobacco or produce smoke but use heat to vaporise flavoured, liquid nicotine.             

Proponents argue they can help people to quit smoking but a rising number of countries including Singapore and Brazil have banned e-cigarettes and US cities including New York and Los Angeles, have blocked their use in many public places.             


"E-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, and I want to minimise the risk of a new generation becoming addicted to this drug," Mr Drakeford said in a statement as he launched a raft of proposals to improve public health in Wales.             

His proposals are open for consultation until 24 June.

If backed, they will then go to the Welsh Assembly, which has the powers to run its own health and education services.             

Battery-powered e-cigarettes were first introduced in China in 2004 and have since grown into a €1.5bn industry.             






European and US regulators have been debating policy for the industry.


Keywords: e-cigarettes