Another UK Hospital Allows Vaping, May Also Hand Out Disposable Vapes

On February 11, according to foreign media reports, a hospital in Devon, UK, banned all forms of smoking on its premises in 2016. However, based on guidance from Public Health England (PHE), which fully supports the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, the hospital’s health managers have now decided to allow vaping.

To avoid any confusion, the hospital now describes itself as “smoke-free” rather than “vape-free,” and plans to make its outdoor areas more vape-friendly. Signs will instruct e-cigarette users to avoid using their devices near entrances and bus stops. Marked lines and signage will clearly define where smokers are required to extinguish cigarettes and where vaping is permitted.

The hospital may also begin handing out disposable e-cigarettes to encourage people to quit smoking.

Professor John Newton, Director of Health Improvement at PHE, said that if necessary, switching to e-cigarettes is better than smoking. In any case, continuing to vape is more beneficial to health than continuing to smoke cigarettes.

Newton added that the sooner people quit smoking, the better. We remain alert to the risks, and the UK has taken a cautious approach in order to maximize the opportunities presented by e-cigarettes to help more smokers quit.

During the same period last summer, two UK hospitals—City Hospital in Birmingham and Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich—opened shops selling e-cigarettes as part of an anti-smoking campaign, while smoking was completely banned by the NHS Trust.

Smoking bans at these hospitals are monitored by CCTV and enforcement officers, who can issue fines of £50.

Medical Director David Carruthers said that smoking is no longer tolerated anywhere on our premises, even in shelters or in cars. Switching completely from smoking to vaping would bring substantial health benefits, with the long-term goal of stopping smoking altogether.

These shops will be operated by the UK e-liquid and e-cigarette supplier Ecigwizard.