The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
E-cigarettes ban by NHS
NHS Fife has banned e-cigarettes because they pose a fire hazard and possible danger to health.
And more health boards could follow, with NHS Tayside also considering the issue.
NHS FIFE has banned e-cigarettes because they pose a fire hazard and possible danger to health — and more health boards could follow, with NHS Tayside also considering the issue.
The batter y- operated nicotine replacement devices were deemed too dangerous to use at Fife hospitals and clinics because they include a heating element, which could ignite bedding or clothing, and there were fears the vapour they produce could set off smoke alarms.
In addition, question marks over the safety of e-cigarettes as a nicotine replacement therapy for smokers trying to quit led to them being prohibited under the health board’s no smoking policy.
They are being assessed by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which will make an announcement about the possible regulation of the products next spring.
A spokeswoman for NHS Fife said there were further safety fears in relation to the batteries used in e-cigarettes.
“If the battery overheats, it may cause the battery to split and/or explode, causing injury to the smoker,” she said.
“NHS Fife has a duty to provide a safe environment for all patients, visitors and staff, and following investigation, our senior fire advisor has identified a number of potential risks with these products.
“These potential risks are similar to the risks posed by any electrical equipment that uses a heating element.
“The decision has been taken to ban the use of these products on all NHS Fife sites until new safety information emerges.
“NHS Fife does not use e-cigarettes as part of their smoking cessation aids, and will await safety reports published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) before reviewing this policy.”
NHS Tayside’s deputy director of public health Paul Ballard said: “We are very interested in the action that NHS Fife has taken and we will need to explore this further before making a decision on appropriate action to take.
“Health professionals do not recommend the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid or a lower-risk option than continuing to smoke due to a lack of evidence of their safety and efficiency.”
The British Medical association (BMA) published guidance about e-cigarettes in public places and workplaces in March.
It said: “E-cigarettes are not regulated as a tobacco product or as a medicine in the UK and there is no peer-reviewed evidence that they are a safe and effective nicotine replacement therapy.
“No rigorous, peer- reviewed studies have been conducted showing that the e-cigarette is a safe and effective nicotine replacement therapy.
“Of particular concern is how these devices closely resemble cigarettes, in terms of appearance and nomenclature, as well as features such as flavouring and styling that are potentially highly attractive to children.
“E-cigarettes have been found to contain harmful substances, and concerns have been raised about their safety.”