"In England we have a very clear philosophical basis for the public health legislation that prohibits smoking in enclosed public places. This is based on John Stuart Mill’s harm principle which holds that the actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to other individuals."
This is not true. The smoking ban in, more accurately, non residential buildings and secure mental hospitals, prohibits private smoking clubs, even those staffed on a volunteer basis by their own (smoking) members. Countries which adhere to Mill's philosophy permit smoking in bars staffed only by the bar owner. Currently, at least, the Netherlands is one such country. It should be remembered that the stated purpose of the UK indoor smoking ban is to protect employees - not to protect customers, who may choose to go elsewhere.
Regarding electronic cigarettes: all the debates now taking place are academic, as the UK Government is obliged, in 2016, to adopt into UK law, the EU Tobacco Products Directive. The most important of many restrictions placed on ecigs by the TPD are
1. Liquid strength restricted to 2% nicotine
Around 25% of current vapers - these who smoked 20 a day or more,choose stronger liquid.
2. Refillable devices only permitted where there is no possibility of leakage.
This is impossible to achieve and so all refillable devices currently on sale will be banned.
The inevitable consequence of the TPD is that only disposable cartridge "cig-a-like" devices will be available. For the ex 20 a day smoker, these cost about around £50 a week to run, compared with £8 for refillable devices using ready mixed liquid, or £3 using liquid home-mixed from 7.2% nicotine concentrate.
In view of the TPD, the Tobacco Control Industry can choose to be as generous, or vindictive, as it wishes towards vapers. The outcome will be the same.
Rapid Response:
Arnott claims that
"In England we have a very clear philosophical basis for the public health legislation that prohibits smoking in enclosed public places. This is based on John Stuart Mill’s harm principle which holds that the actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to other individuals."
This is not true. The smoking ban in, more accurately, non residential buildings and secure mental hospitals, prohibits private smoking clubs, even those staffed on a volunteer basis by their own (smoking) members. Countries which adhere to Mill's philosophy permit smoking in bars staffed only by the bar owner. Currently, at least, the Netherlands is one such country. It should be remembered that the stated purpose of the UK indoor smoking ban is to protect employees - not to protect customers, who may choose to go elsewhere.
Regarding electronic cigarettes: all the debates now taking place are academic, as the UK Government is obliged, in 2016, to adopt into UK law, the EU Tobacco Products Directive. The most important of many restrictions placed on ecigs by the TPD are
1. Liquid strength restricted to 2% nicotine
Around 25% of current vapers - these who smoked 20 a day or more,choose stronger liquid.
2. Refillable devices only permitted where there is no possibility of leakage.
This is impossible to achieve and so all refillable devices currently on sale will be banned.
The inevitable consequence of the TPD is that only disposable cartridge "cig-a-like" devices will be available. For the ex 20 a day smoker, these cost about around £50 a week to run, compared with £8 for refillable devices using ready mixed liquid, or £3 using liquid home-mixed from 7.2% nicotine concentrate.
In view of the TPD, the Tobacco Control Industry can choose to be as generous, or vindictive, as it wishes towards vapers. The outcome will be the same.
Competing interests: No competing interests