Laws banning the use of electronic cigarettes in enclosed public places have recently come into effect in both New York and Chicago, inviting criticism from sellers and users across the world.

The ban comes into effect on the back of proponents who argued that the use of e-cigs will see smoking tobacco becoming ‘re-accepted’ or ‘re-normalised’, attracting children and non-smokers with their flavours and celebrity endorsements and acting as a gateway to traditional tobacco products.

Ironically, the ban has been brought into effect in the same week as a study by YouGov and ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) found that of the millions who use e-cigs in the United Kingdom, only 0.1% started as non-smokers – a figure which contradicts many of the arguments used to support a ban on their use in public places.

New York City health commissioner, Dr Thomas Farley, who supports the ban, argues that the acceptance of electronic cigarettes undermines rules outlawing tobacco products.

“Imagine for a moment you’re at a bar and there are 20 people who are puffing on something that looks like a cigarette and then somebody smells something that smells like tobacco smoke,” said Farley. “How’s the bartender going to know who to tap on the shoulder and say, ‘Put that out’?”

However, Liberty Flights, a seller of e-cigarettes that regularly reacts to relevant news, refuted the suggestion that it’s difficult to discern between tobacco cigarettes and e-cigs.

“The suggestion that a bartender or anyone else for that matter would be unable to tell the difference between burning tobacco wrapped in paper, emitting smoke and dropping ash, and a large metal or plastic imitation that likely has a big green, blue, red or white light on the end is insulting at best,” said a Liberty Flights representative. “If it was hard to discern – and it isn’t – then pubs across the country would be marred by people smoking tobacco indoors, thankfully that doesn’t happen.”

Continuing, Liberty Flights points to a recent YouGov and ASH study and claims that concerns over people picking up smoking or being lured in by e-cigs for any reason other than to stop or cut down on an already existing tobacco habit are unfounded.

“A recent YouGov poll found that not only are there now 2 million people in the UK who use the nicotine delivery devices that we sell but also that arguments about normalising smoking or attracting non-smokers, particularly young people, to e-cigs and tobacco just don’t carry weight.

“Electronic cigs are almost exclusively used by people who have quit tobacco altogether or are trying to quit or cut down on tobacco consumption – and that comes from ASH, one of the biggest anti-tobacco organisations out there! It’s a crying shame to see so many places in the USA banning e-cigs in public and we’re just hopeful that England doesn’t follow their lead.”

Liberty Flights is one of the UK’s biggest providers of electronic cigarettes, e liquid and more. Visit their website at www.liberty-flights.co.uk for more information.

For quotes, contact Matthew on 0845 257 9008 or matthew@liberty-flights.co.uk.