While Italy authorizes the use of electronic cigarettes in public places, Switzerland prohibits it in public transport. France should follow.
Should we ban electronic cigarettes in public places or not? This is obviously the question that agitates all of Europe. And as is often the case on the “Old Continent”, to each his own country, to each his own rule. Italy, for example, has just authorized the use of e-cigarettes in all public places, except schools. In Switzerland, on the other hand, the legislation is more drastic, since the country has just banned the product in all public transport. Indeed, from December 15, any citizen of this country who dares to vape in buses, trams or trains, will be in violation. In the event of an arrest, he will have to pay a fine of 25 Swiss francs (20 euros). But then, what about in France. why actor provides some answers.
Vaping in public places threatened
The approximately 2 million French vapers, according to the latest estimates from the Independent Association of Electronic Cigarette Users, could first of all be banned from vaping in public places. This wish of the government is for the moment suspended from an advisory opinion of the Council of State which should intervene, “by the end of the month”, estimated recently the ministry. And if the opinion of the judges goes in the direction of a ban in all public places, the effectiveness of the decision could arrive as quickly as possible, because the legislative framework is already ready.
RATP has already banned vaping in its transport
In its May newspaper, the Research and Safety Institute estimated that electronic cigarettes present a risk at work. The Institute recalled, in this regard, that the propylene glycol, present in the e-cigarette, is responsible, when inhaled, for eye irritation and breathing difficulties. The employer would therefore be entitled to prohibit it in the premises. This is what the Ministry of Health is already recommending to public transport companies.
The RATP has, for example, decided to prohibit the use of the product in all of its spaces, including vehicles. Without much success visibly, as the number of consumers continues to increase in metro trains and Parisian buses.
Finally, in its report submitted to Marisol Touraine in May, the French Office for the Prevention of Smoking recommended, for its part, that “the use of electronic cigarettes should be prohibited in public places, not in the name of a health problem but for the exemplarity, because it can encourage to smoke ”, indicated Pr Bertrand Dautzenberg, principal author of the report on the e-cigarette.
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