Electronic cigarettes taken off shelves over safety concerns

Electronic cigarettes have been removed from the shelves of leading Irish pharmacies because the products may be unsafe.

Invented by a Chinese pharmacist, the devices can be charged through a computer and allow people to smoke where tobacco is banned.

Concern has been expressed that the cigarettes, which contain nicotine, may produce harmful chemicals.

The EU needs to establish if they should be classified as medical devices, medicines or tobacco products.