ARTICLE: What's the etiquette with electronic cigarettes?

CJKeane

What's the etiquette with electronic cigarettes?

An e-cigarette led to confusion on the M6. But what are the rules of smoking fake fags?

A misunderstanding over an electronic cigarette caused a major terrorist alert on the M6 yesterday. The incident showed what a novelty e-cigarettes are to many people and how easily confusion can develop.

But the "fake cigarette" also raises questions of etiquette. Even before the smoking ban, a restaurant-goer lighting up would annoy fellow diners. Since the ban, such behaviour would cause consternation among customers and lead the owner to fear legal action.

Smoking an e-cigarette, however, is legal in public places. Although it contains nicotine, there is no burning and only odourless steam is produced.

The health advantages of e-cigarettes over tobacco smoking have attracted celebrities including Leonardo di Caprio and Kate Moss.


Reports of "vapour" escaping from bag on the Megabus prompted police swoop
However, some airlines have decided to ban them. There is a fear that they might unsettle passengers or cause people to think that smoking real cigarettes is allowed. Ryan Air even introduced its own alternative to the e-cigarette - a cotton bud soaked in nicotine.

It shows that perception, not only health, is a factor. For smoking is generally frowned upon these days.

So is it socially acceptable to take a battery assisted puff on a train or in a public library? And what about in the office or at a dinner party?

Damien Scott, commercial director of Skycig, a UK brand that claims to have 70,000 customers advises people to use their discretion. "They're not covered by the smoking ban. But use your discretion in public places. In enclosed spaces you should ask permission first so that you're not exhaling vapour everywhere."

Cultural commentator Peter York says there's an amusing defiance about electronic smokers. "It's quite a good joke - although obviously not on motorway buses."


But York senses that trying to puff on one at a smart restaurant might alarm fellow diners and create a scene. "If you're going to do it you should arm yourself with the legal rubric so that you can say, for example, 'under section 16 of the bill' - or whatever it is - 'I'm completely legal'."

Simon Clark, director of smoking lobby group Forest, says e-cigarettes are perfectly appropriate for restaurants. "I cannot see why you shouldn't. They're giving off a bit of water vapour but it's nothing to concern anyone."

But body language expert Judi James says people should tread carefully. Even someone putting an unlit cigarette in their mouth can upset people nowadays, she says. Anyone wanting to smoke an e-cigarette at work should inform colleagues first what they're doing.

In a restaurant it's more complicated. Short of getting up and announcing to the assembled diners that it's a "fake fag", it may be necessary to go outside. "These days the baddies are the ones smoking the fags. So I almost feel these fake cigarettes have got to be smoked in a smoking area."

Sunday Times columnist Rod Liddle, who smokes conventional cigarettes, has little time for e-cigarettes. "They're effete and cowardly." The ban on flights is absurd but then people should either give up or show some willpower if they need them so much, he argues. "They're a demonstration of craven addiction."

So if he hosted a dinner party and someone asked to smoke an e-cigarette what would he do?

"It is inconceivable that anyone I'd invite would own an electronic cigarette. But if they did I would sit close and blow smoke at them."

Others are more tolerant. "It's a bit of fun, it's a novelty," says Peter York. "If it weans people off real cigarettes, then that's a good thing."

What airlines are banning these?
I always go outside for my vaping and stealth vape when I can't do that.

Anyone have any thoughts on this article?

stevenmu

I'm the same, I'll either go outside or be discreet. I don't like the way some people insist on being allowed to vape in restaurants etc just because it's not illegal.

That Rod Liddle guy sounds like a bit of a twat though. I'd love to find him eating dinner somewhere, and sit beside him blowing clouds of vapour over at him.

tommy2bad

Almost all airlines have banned them, just because.
It's legal and causes no harm to anyone else so why not? Do I get to object to people eating garlic? wearing too much perfume? No, just because of a concerted campaign to de-normalize smoking the generally ignorant public think that any inhalation of anything is morally wrong.
Group think at it's worst.

Vape proudly, just ask if it's OK in the company your in, same as everyone did one time with tobacco.

eeloe

Rod Liddle sounds like an utter stain....I really hope he doesn't find himself in a situation where he cannot afford tobacco and has to find a means and a way of kicking the habit, he won't be long changing his tune.

Eoin

I was disappointed (but not surprised at all) to see that Aer Lingus specifically said they're not allowed when I flew with them last week. Maybe it's just easier than people getting concerned / irate at seeing "smoke" on the plane, but it would be a bummer on a long haul flight. I think I'd be taking a chance and having a sneaky drag or two.

Ryan Air even introduced its own alternative to the e-cigarette - a cotton bud soaked in nicotine.

This won't be a surprise to anyone here, but these things are worse than sh1te.

stevenmu wrote:

I'm the same, I'll either go outside or be discreet. I don't like the way some people insist on being allowed to vape in restaurants etc just because it's not illegal.

Ditto. It's just not worth the hassle explaining to people. Though some people like the attention and will have no problems blowing plumes of vapour up in the air in the hope that they can smugly tell people who complain that it's not a real cigarette.

newmark

Hopefully as awareness of electronic cigarettes grows and more positive scientific studies come into the public frame ecigs will become more accepted.

Ecigs are still relatively new and its understandable that some people who don't know how they work etc liken them to cigarettes so its all down to educating the public and getting more positive scientific information out there.

In the meantime I'm happy that at least its not illegal to use ecigs in pubs etc like cigarettes and that there are a growing number of establishments that allow vaping and this grows by the day as more people become aware of them and they get more accepted.

I think it is probably proper to ask in a restaurant to vape but in saying that I have gone to cafes and vaped without asking. I also tend to vape while in shops, pubs etc without asking though if I get a look by a member of staff or someone I usually say its ok its just an electric cigarette and water vapour not smoke and this usually does the trick.