Pub chain JD Wetherspoon reiterates its ban on e-cigarettes

JD Wetherspoon (JDW), the 860-strong UK pub chain, has defended its position after it emerged that the use of e-cigarettes had been banned inside all of its pubs, media reported on 7 June 2013.

Despite e-cigarettes being exempt from Smokefree Legislation, the

managed pub chain claimed that staff had found it difficult to

distinguish e-cigarette users from real smokers.

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are electronic inhalers that vaporise a liquid solution into an aerosol mist, simulating the act of tobacco smoking. In fact, users of e-cigarettes, called "vapers" are not smoking but "vaping". Some of these e-cigarettes look like the real thing, but there are many designs around which do not resemble conventional cigarettes at all.

A spokesman for JDW was quoted as saying that allowing e-cigarette use would result in bar workers having to "police the pub", distracting them from other tasks. He added: "While we appreciate that electronic cigarettes are legal, the bottom line is that they generally emit a vapour that looks like smoke." Therefore, e-cigarette users are being politely asked to use the designated outdoor smoking areas.

JDW’s stance has been criticised by e-cigarette producers, some of whom have pointed out that there can be no confusion with a cigarette. They also wondered why JDW would not welcome a product that will keep customers in their premises while reducing the security, noise and litter issues which arise from smokers going outside.

The ban on smoking, which was introduced in 2007, is often cited as one of the reasons why pubs have closed in huge numbers in recent years.

Take a closer look at pub closures from 2001 to 2010 and there is a marked increase in closures from 2007. Figures are from the British Beer and Pub Association which reports on 95 percent of UK pubs.

2001 – 100 (pubs closed)

2002 – 600

2003 – 700

2004 – 400

2005 – 400

2006 – 400

2007 – 1,409

2008 – 1,973

2009 – 1,352

2010 – 1,466

Incidentally, JDW trialled smoke-free pubs before the ban on smoking became law. In 2005 JDW gave the punters a choice. In newly opened pubs smoking was banned while others were converted into smoke-free venues.. What happened was that profits fell. The converted non-smoking pubs saw profits drop by 20 percent. Revenues fell by 7.6 percent. Fruit machines and alcohol sales were hit particularly hard (25 percent and 17 percent respectively). By February 2006 the project was abandoned as a complete failure, only to be replicated in the UK by law, according to www.thecommentator.com blog in January 2013.

Fortunately, there are still quite a few bars and pubs in the UK that allow e-smokers to vape indoors. Lists of vape-friendly pubs can be found online. What is worrying to some "vapers" is that both France and Italy are considering including e-cigarettes in their bans on smoking in public areas.

Should the UK follow suit, smokers and vapers alike will find themselves out in the inhospitable streets of Britain.