Time to denormalise the anti-smoking bandwagon

I'm on holiday this week, hence the lack of posts. A quick comment, though, on two issues.

One, smoking in cars with children. The government's six-week consultation closes today at 11.45pm so you have a few more hours to register your views. Click here.

Two, the World Health Organisation yesterday announced it would recommend banning the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public places.

With no evidence to suggest that e-cigs are harmful to the user or anyone nearby it's a ridiculous suggestion that has been widely criticised.

What sticks in my throat though is the fact that some of the loudest voices opposing WHO's recommendation are the likes of ASH and other tobacco control advocates.

If it were not for ASH and their fellow travellers we wouldn't have a comprehensive smoking ban. Smoking would be banned in the overwhelming majority of public places (enough for most people) but pubs and private clubs would be allowed to determine their own policy on smoking.

An amendment to the ban (suggested by Forest) would have allowed separate smoking rooms but that was rejected by ASH and their ilk too.

It was anti-tobacco lobbyists like ASH who created a world where bans are the norm and extending the smoking ban to include anything that looks like a cigarette (even when it is encouraging smokers to cut down or quit) is perceived as a logical extension of that ban.

Without the smoking ban no-one would dare suggest that governments ban the use of e-cigarettes in public places.

One thing leads to another and eventually something you enjoy doing (or consuming) is prohibited too.

So my message to vapers is simple. You might welcome ASH's comments but don't forget that ASH helped create the anti-smoking bandwagon that is now targeting e-cigarettes.

Personally I'd prefer to trust my luck in a lagoon full of man-eating reptiles than rely on ASH's 'support'.

Here, btw, is Forest's response to yesterday's announcement:

"Public health should be driven by evidence-based policies and there is no evidence e-cigs are harmful to users or bystanders.

"Banning their use in enclosed public places is ridiculous. Let the market, not politicians and unelected bureaucrats, decide where e-cigarettes can and can't be used.

"Excessive regulation could destroy a breakthrough product that offers smokers an increasingly popular alternative to cigarettes.

"Common sense suggests that light touch regulation is the way to go, not the clunking fist of the nanny state."

PS. I'm discussing this issue with Jon Gaunt on Fubar Radio shortly after midday.

Earlier today I was interviewed on BBC local radio about smoking in cars carrying children.

Some holiday!