Keep public places free from vape fumes

SIR – There is evidence that vaping does offer an advantage over smoking, due to the lack of carbon monoxide.

However, the House of Commons science and technology committee has extrapolated from this to conclude that vaping is relatively harmless and should be allowed in public places (report, August 18). This ignores the fact that the vapour contains significant amounts of nicotine, and is not only obnoxious to smell but can harm susceptible people such as children and those with heart disease.

The suggestion that non-vapers should “accommodate vapers” is unacceptable to those of us who appreciate the hard-won freedom to breathe in an environment free from potentially dangerous pollutants, and it should be vigorously resisted.

Malcolm Clarke

Meifod, Montgomeryshire SIR – Being in a room with a vaper is like standing next to an old steam engine.

Pubs have become much cleaner and pleasanter places since the smoking ban. Allowing people to use their e-cigarettes inside would reverse this improvement.

Irving Warnett

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

SIR – How can anyone, never mind Public Health England or our MPS, pronounce on the safety of e-cigarettes?

These devices have been in use for a relatively short period of time, and I doubt anyone who took up normal tobacco-based cigarettes over the same period would be showing significant health problems yet.

Adrian Waller

Woodsetts, South Yorkshire