Electronic cigarettes are still being used indoors despite the ban that applies to conventional tobacco products, according to the health authorities.
Charmaine Gauci, who heads the Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Directorate, said many were under the impression that they could use electronic cigarettes wherever they pleased.
“It is a misconception that e-cigarettes can be used indoors. You can only use them in the same way as ordinary tobacco products.
“You would see people smoking in public indoor spaces, such as restaurants, but they shouldn’t,” she said, adding that more awareness was necessary to bring users in line with the law.
The World Health Organisation warned this week that e-cigarettes could be more toxic than many believed and recommended that the devices be banned indoors.
“As far as Malta is concerned, this proposal is already in force,” Dr Gauci said.
The WHO report also called for a number of sale restrictions, including a limitation on advertising, and recommended that vending machines be removed from “almost all locations”. This, Dr Gauci said, was also already practised in Malta.
However, it seems few are actually aware of what the law demands and Dr Gauci is keen to raise awareness in the light of the report.
Restaurateurs contacted by Times of Malta said diners had even started vaping – as the faux-smoking experience is called – after meals.
“I didn’t know they weren’t meant to be using them. To be honest, I often don’t even notice people are using them because they don’t leave a smell like cigarettes do,” bistro owner and chef Joe Cremona said.
Restaurant owner Steve Miceli said he regularly informed customers that electronic cigarettes were not to be used indoors but to little effect.
“I tell people but they are convinced that they can use them indoors. I had a diner who was so convinced he told me I was lying about the law,” Mr Miceli said, adding that users believed being able to vape indoors was among the main benefits of using electronic cigarettes.
Users contacted said they had turned to the devices to be able to wean themselves off cigarettes by using them at all times.
“Using them indoors is a big advantage but, I suppose if I don’t use mine inside, I’ll smoke even less and benefit more,” Sean Dalli said.
A standard electronic cigarette has three parts: a container for the refill liquid, a rechargeable battery and an atomiser, which is a tiny coil of wire that heats the liquid and vaporises it.
The devices, which can be purchased for about €25, are subject to the standard regulations laid down in the Tobacco (Smoking Control) Act which says cigarette substitutes “cannot be used in indoor public spaces”.
It is a misconception that e-cigarettes can be used indoors. You can only use them in the same way as ordinary tobacco products
Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said the health authorities would be reviewing the WHO report to look for ways to further strengthen Malta’s legislation. Pointing out that the use of e-cigarettes had increased drastically over the last decade, Mr Fearne warned about claims of health incentives.
The WHO report has called for advertisers to refrain from claims that the devices helped smokers kick the habit and that they were less harmful than other tobacco products.
“E-cigarette vapour contains toxins and should definitely be avoided in adolescents and pregnant mothers,” Mr Fearne said.
“Inhalation of e-cigarette vapour can have detrimental effects not just on smokers themselves but also on those close by who inhale the second-hand vapour.”