Questions as First Capital Connect bans electronic cigarettes on trains

ELECTRONIC cigarette users, who are trying to kick the habit or circumvent the smoking ban, have been banned from using the devices on Times Territory trains.

Rail operator First Capital Connect (FCC) says the ‘cigarettes’, which release water vapour instead of harmful smoke, could “unsettle other passengers”.

In response, manufacturers said the devices are not lit, and the vapour is harmless.

This week an FCC spokesman told the WHT: “We have a no smoking policy regardless of the type of device customers would like to smoke.

“Our concern is that e-cigarettes will unsettle other passengers or cause people to think that smoking real cigarettes is allowed.”

He added: “Many airlines also enforce this for similar reasons.”

Passenger Antony Chutter said he agreed with the stance on social networking site Twitter, but others disagreed.

Ganesh Sittampalam tweeted: “What about hot food”, referring to the steam.

Railway by-laws also ban smoking on platforms and trains.

Manufacturer Vapestick said FCC’s stance was at odds with other bodies.

“Thankfully the majority of places/ companies do not have such an e-cig policy,” a spokesman tweeted.

But the firm urged users to “respect individual company’s policies”.

A statement from fellow manufacturer Electric Zebra said: “There is no risk to others from passive smoking, as the e-cigarette produces water vapour, not smoke.

“The vapour does not leave any bad odours and evaporates in seconds.”

Justifying its anti-e-cigarette regulations, FCC said another by-law, dealing with “unacceptable behaviour”, allowed them to crack down on them.

The exact part of the legislation read: “No person shall molest or wilfully interfere with the comfort or convenience of any person on the railway.”