Inside this issue...

-    Remember: the smoking laws are still valid!

Dear reader,

I was at the International Fashion Sale last week (I am a woman after all!), and there was a stand advertising the new “electric” cigarette.

This device is almost exactly like a real cigarette: once you draw on the butt-end of the cigarette, air is drawn into the atomiser through inlet holes on its side. The air flow triggers a switch and the battery heats up the atomiser which then vaporises the fluid in the cartridge. The cartridge is a mixture of nicotine, water, propylene glycol and some tobacco flavouring.

It’s supposed to be healthier

The electric cigarette promises six benefits:

1.    No tar
2.    No carcinogens
3.    No second-hand smoke
4.    No ashtrays
5.    No bad odours
6.    No stained teeth

So, do electric cigarettes qualify as smoking? We had a recent query from Theresa about this very issue, and the legislation regarding it. The answer’s below…

Remember: the smoking laws are still valid!

Question

Have electrical cigarettes been approved? Can we allow people to smoke them in our stores?

Answer

There’s no specific legislation on the use of this apparatus yet.  Right now, it’s entirely up to your management. My opinion is you shouldn’t allow it. Smoking is smoking, even if there’s no health risk to the electric cigarette.

Remember, from a management point of view, you can’t allow some customers the “action” and refuse others the same “action”. So be consistent.

In the name of safety,

Christel Fouché 
Editor-in-chief: Health and Safety Handbook