A LOCAL authority in Gwent is a step closer to introducing a ban on electronic cigarettes on council premises and in council vehicles.

Banning the use of the so-called ‘e-cigs’ by Caerphilly council employees has moved a step closer after Members of the Caerphilly council’s policy and resources scrutiny committee agreed to amend the council’s long-standing no smoking policy for employees, to include the prohibition of electronic cigarettes.

This will see the use of electronic cigarettes treated in the same way as conventional cigarettes.

The proposed restriction will now go before the council’s cabinet for final approval at a later date.

The move to stop the use of electronic cigarettes on council premises and in council vehicles is in line with the stance being taken by the Welsh government, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and other local authorities.

Councillor Christine Forehead, cabinet member for Human Resources and Governance, said: “This move to strengthen our no smoking policy shows that we are doing all we can to ensure we are providing a healthy, smoke-free work environment for our employees.”