“IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT HEALTH AND
SOCIAL CARE ORGANISATIONS DEMONSTRATE
LEADERSHIP IN PROTECTING HEALTH AND
PROMOTING HEALTHY BEHAVIOURS”
– DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH NI
Northern Health and Social Care Trust said that,
“Northern Trust policies relating to not smoking have
always applied to all kinds of tobacco products.
Since 2014 this has included e-cigarettes,” but
did not elaborate further on why they considered
e-cigarettes tobacco products.
The Western Trust do not appear convinced
by the existing studies and statements. A
spokesperson said:
“The role of the Western Trust is to provide
care and enable people to live healthier
lives. We are committed to reducing the use
of tobacco and its harmful health effects.
The rationale behind this decision is based
on a lack of studies to support the use of
e-cigarettes as a safe and effective nicotine
replacement therapy. Our policy is also in
line with the views of the BMA and the Public
Health Agency (PHA). It is the PHA’s position
that in general, e-cigarettes should not be
used in any public space where tobacco
smoking is not permitted.”
The spokesperson continued: “The ban on
the use of e-cigarettes will be reviewed once
further scientific evidence becomes available
and if e-cigarettes become regulated as
medicines by the government.”
If the NI trusts are out of step with the NHS,
PHE, RCP and other bodies of medical
research on this matter, there may also be
further dissention down the road, and sceptics
are wondering how far such divisions will
extend. The Trusts continually cite the BMA’s
2013 statement, despite the following points
now appearing on the BMA’s website:
“The evidence-base in this area remains weak,
though most studies demonstrate a positive
relationship between the use of e-cigarettes and
smoking cessation.”
“Unlike cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use does
not expose users to the products of combustion,
and most of the toxicants causing smoking-related
e-cigarette vapour.”
The Western Trust will review its own policy
in October later this year. A spokesperson for the
Northern Trust also said “The Trust has an
ongoing process for reviewing all our policies.”
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