Mr. Mark Murphy:

At the moment, the evidence is somewhat limited. What evidence we have seen is that second-hand aerosols are not harm free. Second-hand aerosols have a health impact, as does direct aerosol usage on the person vaping. There is a minor health effect, but the evidence in this regard is not as widespread as evidence on the direct effect of e-cigarette use. It is the nature of the e-cigarette evidence that it is constantly evolving, given that it is relatively short term compared with tobacco research. From what we have seen, though, there is a minor health harm from the second-hand aerosol effect. If someone is sitting in an outdoor smoking area or indoors where e-cigarettes are constantly being blown into his or her face, there is a minor health harm, but the evidence is constantly evolving and we are always examining it to determine our position on it. We believe that vaping should be denormalised and people should be protected from second-hand aerosols. We would support the smoking ban being extended to e-cigarettes so that they are not allowed in workplaces. I imagine that many restaurants would encourage the same, as it would make it easier for them if there was national legislation telling people who want to have an e-cigarette to go outside and not blow it in the faces of other patrons on whom it might have a health effect. This would also denormalise vaping for children.