E-cigarette sellers in York say smoking bans won’t harm business

Shops dedicated to selling the cigarette substitute opened up in the city when they became a popular way to kick the harmful habit.

Chains including KFC, Starbucks and All Bar One have all banned the battery-powered e-cigs, which produce a vapour with a reduced nicotine content.

However, traders selling them in York say business is doing well enough to avoid a potential drop in sales if the ban was enforced.

Jon Hewitson, of Red Eye on Goodramgate, said: "I don't think it would harm the business if there was a ban on smoking inside because since moving to York I've seen so many people smoking them and there's even vapour meetings where people discuss how to make their own."

The shop specialises in smoking paraphernalia and staff are allowed to smoke their e-cigarettes inside the shop, but Mr Hewitson believes smokers should stay away from smoking them around diners.

"I smoke them but wouldn't smoke inside," he added.

"We are allowed to smoke them in the shop to promote them, but if you sit in a pub and smoke it, that's rubbing it in someone's face."

In August the World Health Organisation, the United Nations health body, commissioned a review of e-cigarettes calling for stiff regulation on their use similar to that applied to normal tobacco products.

There is little scientific evidence on their safety, but they are often used by smokers hoping to cut back on the amount they smoke or quit altogether.

Sam Hawker, of e-mist on Castlegate, uses e-cigarettes.

She added: "I do worry about the business but I don't think they will be banned from everywhere.

"You shouldn't be able to smoke them in some places where you've never been able to smoke, like supermarkets.

"I've smoked them for the last five years and they aren't harmful.

"I smoke them because it's a lot healthier and I've stopped smoking because e-cigarettes don't have the tar or chemicals in them like a cigarette does."