Campaigners demand ban on e-cigarettes in the workplace
HEALTH campaigners are calling for a ban on electronic cigarettes in all enclosed public places – including workplaces.
A similar ban being proposed in Wales is expected to come into force in 2017 and will mean shops must be registered to sell the devices.
Now the Royal Environmental Health Institute for Scotland (REHIS) is calling for the same measures to be introduced by Holyrood.
A public health Bill is at present being considered in an attempt to transform Scotland into a ‘tobacco-free’ country by 2034.
Under the plans, shops are to be banned from selling e-cigarettes to under-18s. It will also be an offence for an adult to buy e-cigarettes for anyone younger than 18.
Shopkeepers will be legally required to challenge anyone who appears to be under the age of 25 to prove they are old enough to buy e-cigarettes. The new legislation will also seek to make smoking in the vicinity of hospital buildings a statutory offence.
REHIS president Martin Keeley said: ‘We fully support the Scottish legislation to regulate e-cigarettes in the market.
‘But the legislation as it is drafted does nothing to protect people from second exposure in workplaces and other enclosed public spaces or protect children from images and activities which normalise smoking.’
Public health minister Maureen Watt said: ‘This Government is not opposed to e-cigarettes, but we think it is right to protect children from nicotine addiction. It is wrong for people to have to walk through clouds of smoke when visiting hospitals.’