Will e-cigarettes take centre stage in 2013?

Happy New Year if you've just woken up.

I don't know if this is going to become a theme in 2013 but electronic cigarettes have featured in several newspapers in recent days, and each article has been very different.

The latest in the Daily Express, is headlined Now smokers can come in from the cold and no butts.

It's a fairly shameless advertisement for "one of the first nicotine-free and disposable electronic cigarettes" but it includes this lengthy quote from me:

“We think e-cigarettes are a good alternative to regular cigarettes in places where people cannot smoke.

“In years to come more and more people are going to be looking for smoke-free products - even though it is likely the meddling EU will try to ban them.

“Until two years ago few people were aware of e-cigarettes - now there is huge interest and I am sure the market will continue to grow.

“A lot of smokers will say they like the whole ritual of smoking - the opening of a packet, the touch and feel - and to a certain extent e-cigarettes give you those sensations.

“In general we believe e-cigarettes should be welcomed by politicians and public health campaigners as a useful alternative to traditional cigarettes.

“We support regulations that protect the consumer but we are strongly opposed to heavy-handed regulations or restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes.”

I suspect we will read a lot more about electronic cigarettes in the coming months.

Talking of which, I'll be back with some predictions for 2013 - but not before I've had breakfast, possibly lunch, and taken the dog for a long New Year's Day walk in our local country park.