NHS Fife slaps ban on e-cigarettes
NHS Fife has raised concerns about e-cigarettes
NHS Fife has revised its smoking policy to include e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems which claim to provide an alternative to traditional smoking.
In a statement issued last week, NHS Fife said it had a duty to provide a safe environment for all patients, visitors and staff.
“Following investigation, our senior fire advisor has identified a number of potential risks with these products,” said a spokesman.
“The decision has been taken to ban the use of these products on all NHS Fife sites until new safety information emerges.”
The spokesman also pointed out that NHS Fife did not use e-cigarettes as part of its smoking cessation aids and would await safety reports published by the World Health Organisation before reviewing its policy.
“The British Medical Association (BMA) Board of Science has confirmed that e-cigarettes are unregulated, and there is no peer-reviewed evidence to prove they are a safe and effective nicotine replacement therapy,” the statement contionued.
“Using e-cigarettes may undermine smoking prevention and cessation by reinforcing the normality of using cigarettes in public and the workplace.”
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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