A ban on smoking in public places, including hackney taxis and private hire cars, has been in place since 2007 but there’s never been any certainty on where we stand when it comes to electronic cigarettes.
Electronic cigarettes, more commonly known as e-cigs, are handheld electrical devices that heat a nicotine based liquid which then lets off a vapour giving the user the same effect as a standard cigarette but without the health risks.
Setting the Record Straight for All Taxis
After a rise in enquiries about the use of e-cigs in taxis Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has decided to put an end to the confusion and will be asking members of the public to make the decision for themselves.
“We discovered we only had a policy that stops smoking in taxis but nothing against e-cigarettes.”
Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Bob Backhouse, said: “We received complaints from members of the public concerning taxi drivers who have ‘vaped’ whilst driving.
“It was then that we discovered we only had a policy that stops smoking in taxis but nothing against e-cigarettes. Obviously, in the light of the widespread growth of vaping, this needs to be amended.”
It was agreed, at the last licensing meeting, that the views of the public would be requested within the next Hackney Carriage and Private Hire policy review scheduled for late 2016.
Councillor Backhouse added: “Owing to the fact we’re about to make a public consultation with taxi drivers and members of the public, the licensing committee thought it was best to incorporate this issue into that consultation.”
Word on the Street
Local paper, The Courier, asked the people of Tunbridge Wells for their thoughts on e-cigs. Here’s what they said.
Toni Conlon, 54, from Rusthall, said: “I think banning e-cigs in taxis is a good thing because they can leave a pungent smell and that’s not going to be pleasant for the next customer.”
Joanna Jump, 66, from Uckfield, said: “I personally wouldn’t mind if my taxi driver was smoking an e-cig.”
Elissandro Barbonr, 17, from Rusthall, agrees. He said: “I wouldn’t care if a taxi driver was using an e-cig.”
Leoni Hoppe, 20, from Tunbridge Wells, said: “You’re not allowed to smoke in a taxi so you shouldn’t be able to have an electronic one either.”
Looks like there are some very mixed views from the public; it’ll be interesting to see what the outcome of the consultation is at the end of the year.
Tell us your views on e-cigarettes by joining the discussion on the Cab Direct Facebook page.