Vaping - Public Health England Report

[Minushabens]

I was deeply worried to read this as the main story on the BBC this morning:

bbc.co.uk/news/health-45212444

PHE are suggesting that vaping be allowed in public places, including workplaces, as part of the ongoing anti-smoking strategy. I'm not against vaping per se, and I understand that it's no doubt a good way to get people off tobacco, but the vapour is a significant asthma trigger for me, and lots of other people I know. Allowing it in enclosed public places in effect bans me from those places (it's already becoming an issue in some pubs & places I go).

I wonder if there are opportunities, should this become a direction of travel, to highlight the impact vaping can have on asthmatics? I know it's not just me, & if we go to a world where everywhere is full of vape gas, to me it would be nearly as bad as the days when everywhere was full of cigarette smoke.

[starveycat]

I do not nor ever will understand the mentality of those in power. Air quality is already poor. Best regards to you

[emmasue]

Interesting! I don't know why ex-smokers should be held in more value than those with chronic breathing conditions! But then I guess banning smoking in public places was more about getting people to quit smoking than protecting the bystander. I guess it depends on their priorities. However if it is a real concern, maybe a few of us should write to our MP's? Have you written an email to Asthma UK? I have found that they are good advocates as well. It's those with the loudest voice who gets the support, unfortunately. 😞

[hypercat54 in reply to emmasue]

I think mainly because cigarettes often cause breathing difficulties in the first place! I can say this as an ex smoker who now has copd. I think if e-cigs had been around back in the 70's and 80's I would have stopped then instead of just last year and not given myself copd.

Having said that I tried vaping to give up but couldn't get along with it as it makes me cough. It still does so I wouldn't want it to be allowed in public places either. x

[emmasue in reply to hypercat54]

My friend uses e-cigs. I am so happy for their existence because I know she doesn't have the will power to give up otherwise. But allowing them in public places seems like a backward move. Will see what happens.

[hypercat54 in reply to emmasue]

A couple of months ago I went to the theatre and automatically went out at half time as I used to when I was smoking. I couldn't believe it when I look round as only about 3 people were smoking and another 8 were using e-cigs! I was really pleased for them though. x

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I see their point about less harm than smoking but as emmasue says it does seem like that pushes those who react to the back of the queue behind smokers!

Oddly enough it doesn't trigger me (I react to many perfumes, deodorants and scents so would expect it to) but I do know very well tht feeling of being ambushed and having my evening or day out spoiled by triggers (eg theatrical smoke) and fully support anyone who doesn't want this - especially at work!!! If you could still smoke inside I would never go anywhere so can see the issue (and more selfishly, my lungs may well decide to notice what they have so far ignored...)

I might write to my MP, and may also be useful if lots of us say to Asthma UK that it is an issue as then they have some ammunition.

[Minushabens]

I totally see the point with regards to the general public health argument. If alternatives to smoking are having a impact, I’m all for it. Just not at the expense of other people whose lung issues are affected by the fumes, which I very much am. And I know I’m not alone there. Actually encouraging caping INTO spaces like work and leisure venues seems pointless because it’s not as if they can smoke there anyway. My wife said earlier today, it’s almost like saying let’s make a few low alcohol drinks available as well just in case anyone has an alcohol problem!

[-Butterfly-]

Arghhh this drives me mad.

Yes, vaping is better for you than smoking, however there are still chemicals (perfume/taste) in it and there have been no long term studies done on their long term health impact.

In the early days, weren't cigarettes sold as a health tonic or some such. Advertising them for their health 'benefits'.... before any long term studies were done on them. 🤔 Are the 'experts' really that short sighted??

Fine if you want to vape, you're an adult so need to accept the potential risks, however, I don't vape because I don't want to accept the risk, so I don't really want to inhale second hand 'chemical clouds' that have just come from inside your lungs thank you very much. My asthma is very probably as a result of growing up as a passive smoker for 12 years, I do not want to be a passive vaper too, and potentially increase my lung cancer or other disease risk.

Ok, I'll jump off my soapbox.

[Wheezycat]

I am so with you on this Minushabens, and wrote about it to me MP already.

[Minushabens in reply to Wheezycat]

I have a slight conflict of interest with my MP because my daughter works for her, but I'm going to mention it & see if she can at least 'drop it on her radar'.

[Wheezycat in reply to Minushabens]

We have an MP I like a lot! I am asking her to take my views (and that of many others, I hope) into account when this is hopefully debated. I have no idea where she stands on this, if, indeed, she has any views at all, but I am not critical of her!

[Pipsqueak77]

Butterfly

Here here...! Very well put! I couldnt agree more!

It is scary that there have been no long term studies or outcomes on vaping so actually we have no idea what the health risks/ benefits are of this.

As you quite rightly say smoking standard cigarettes was advocated as being good for you in the 40s and 50s so what hope do we have!!!!??

[Minushabens in reply to Pipsqueak77]

There has been a study recently suggesting that vaping carries significant health risks. I've not looked in detail at it, but although it was carried out by a leading researcher, I think there might be some controversy attached to it as there's a rumour that Philip Morris (huge tobacco company) may have funded/part-funded it. I've not got round to digging up the detail of that yet, but as it stands it does say vaping is anything but GOOD for you, just a lot less bad than cigarettes.

[Hidden]

It does make me wonder why this has been raised when there are much more pressing health issues that need tackling now, obesity, diabetes, vehicle pollution, inactivity and mental health to name but a few.

Is it possible that the companies that are involved in vaping have lobbied some MPs behind closed doors (you know, brown paper envelopes!) and suddenly this makes onto the headline news.

[Minushabens in reply to Hidden]

I think you might have a very good point there!

[SteveWilliams]

I’m with you ... I find vapour gas more toxic and aggravating than tobacco smoke and those that use them seem to relish in blowing big clouds of the stuff everywhere. The smells and flavours are horrible and those that use them seem to think that they are socially acceptable and fashionable. Personally I think they look utterly ridiculous. Just have some will power and stop.

How they can think that they are or would be acceptable in public places such as restaurants and so forth is unfamothable and would only encourage more use which surely goes against the grain of trying to limit and reduce usage over time.

Idiot the lot of them - PHE that is.

[Hidden]

Hi all,

Here's Asthma UK response to the vaping story: asthma.org.uk/about/media/n...

Dita

[Minushabens in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Dita - I think that sums it up perfectly. Hopefully the politicians will get enough feedback to realise what a daft idea it is!