Debrett’s issues blow-by-blow vaping guide
BRITAIN: Electronic cigarettes have divided the medical world but there can be no clearer sign that they are now an established part of society: Debrett’s has issued an etiquette guide to their use.
Vaping in bed, over a meal, while queuing or without the permission of guests are all deemed bad manners.
Likening e-cigarettes to mobile phones, Debrett’s says the lack of a legal ban on their use should not be taken as a green light for indiscriminate vaping.
Offices, restaurants and shops have been left to set their own rules and a poll of 2000 people carried out for the guide found that a third of users were confused about where it is is permitted.
The guide says vapers must ask if there is any doubt about whether the habit is allowed, and apologies must be issued if you blow a cloud of vapour in someone’s face.
Katherine Lewis, from Debrett’s, said: ‘‘Etiquette is still being established.
‘‘It’s not difficult to be a respectful vaper, though – you just need to be courteous and ask permission before engaging in behaviour that may affect others.’’
About 2.3 million people in Britain regularly use e-cigarettes to get a nicotine fix while cutting down or quitting smoking.
Medical bodies such as Public Health England and the Royal College of Physicians have urged smokers to switch, estimating that vaping is 95 per cent safer than tobacco cigarettes.
Other public health leaders are unhappy at official encouragement because the devices are not com- pletely safe and the long-term effects are unknown.
Debrett’s advises against getting involved in the row, advising e-cigarette users not to lecture others about the virtues of vaping.
Elly Criticou, from Vype, an e-cigarette company that co-wrote the guidance with Debrett’s, said: ‘‘Vapers and non-vapers are struggling to navigate the social niceties.
‘‘As vaping grows, we want to do our bit to help vapers be considerate of others and non-vapers be more accepting.’’ - The Times