Good news for vapers and opponents of excessive regulations

Good news from Cardiff.

The Public Health (Wales) Bill which was going to severely restrict the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public places has been rejected by AMs.

The circumstances were slightly farcical, in keeping with all devolved assemblies, because it involved Plaid Cymru AMs taking offence at something a Labour minister said in jest.

The result was that instead of being split on the issue Plaid Cymru AMs joined the Conservatives and Lib Dems in opposing the measure and the Bill was defeated by 27 votes to 26.

On a day when George Osborne announced plans for a sugar levy and the price of cigarettes edged towards £10 a pack, it was good to end the day on a happier note.

Last night, via the Press Association, the Telegraph and Mail both quoted Forest as follows:

"Vapers are almost exclusively smokers who wish to cut down or quit or are looking for an alternative nicotine delivery system in places where smoking is banned

"Given the a lack of evidence that the use of electronic cigarettes is harmful to users and bystanders, it would be hugely counter-productive to discourage the use of e-cigarettes in public places."

This morning we were also quoted by ITV News:

The proposals to severely restrict the use of e-cigarettes in public places were hopelessly misguided and irrational.

The proposed measures were based not on evidence of harm but on an irrational fear of nicotine.

See Parties, campaigners and traders react to failed e-cig ban (ITV News).

For our full response go to Forest welcomes defeat of Public Health (Wales) Bill.

Oh, and here are the arguments we made in our submission to last year's consultation - Forest response to consultation on Public Health (Wales) Bill.

Finally, I look forward to hearing what ASH Wales and Cancer Research have to say on the defeat of the Bill.

So far these alleged supporters of e-cigarettes have been completely mute. I wonder why that is?

Update: ASH Wales has now issued a response. Significantly it describes the Bill's defeat as "disappointing".

They note the loss of "robust tobacco control measures" including a national register of retailers for tobacco products.

The Bill, they point out, would also have "restricted" smoking in school grounds, public playgrounds and hospital grounds.

The e-cigarette issue is mentioned but almost as an afterthought - and through gritted teeth.

Advocates of e-cigarettes? Only as a tobacco control measure.