Electronic cigarettes spark debate

“There is a massive problem with underage smoking and drinking everywhere you just have to walk through the park every weekend to see that, but what I sell is also helping hundreds of people cut down or stop smoking and save a lot of money in the meantime.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Oct 2013, 15:15 BST

“I’ve paid a lot of money to develop our products and make sure they’re as safe and affordable as I can but like anything [else] other people will sell a cheaper, less safe or tested product, but it’s unfair to judge everyone on that.”

In one end of an e-cigarette there is liquid nicotine, and in the other a rechargeable battery and an atomiser. When the user sucks, the liquid nicotine is vaporised and absorbed through the mouth. What looks like smoke is largely water vapour.

Because there is no tobacco in e-cigarettes, there is no tar and it is the tar in ordinary cigarettes that kills.

Under proposals from the European Commission the regulations on selling e-cigarettes are set to be beefed up.

Should MEPs vote in favour of the legislation, e-cigarettes will become a medicinal entity.

To read what Leader readers had to say on the subject, see page 18.