Are they trying to derail smokers?

Iarnród Eireann announced it is to ban electronic cigarettes in all its stations and trains because, they claim, they have had feedback from customers. Apparently these complainers object to inhaling somebody else’s vapour.

Do these people also complain about inhaling diesel fumes from the train itself? Diesel fumes are a designated carcinogen, or cancer-causing to humans.

Do the complainers object to inhaling everything that fellow passengers exhale also? Do they have a problem inhaling the flatulence of other travellers? How do they feel about the germs of others that they inevitably come in contact with? The perfumes and aftershaves of others must surely drive them wild. Perhaps they should demand a carriage to themselves.

This ban is based on ignorance and intolerance and an unhealthy phobia around tobacco consumption or anything that might look like it. E-Cigs are the single best aid to quitting smoking and it is official policy to “encourage” smokers to quit by whatever means they can. Are Iarnród Éireann attempting to discourage quitters? Smokers are taxpayers too who help fund the train service.

As a dual user of both E-Cigs and tobacco, currently on the road to quitting smoking completely, I object strongly to this intrusive move by Iarnród Éireann. It might be instructive for all of us if the complaints were published with names and addresses included or would that be too intrusive for the intolerant moaners?

John Mallon

Mayfield

Cork