WHILST I welcome the new rules banning smoking to protect mainly young people’s health introduced by the Public Health (Wales) Act. 

I am at a loss why there has been no mention of the detrimental effects of vaping?

If the chief Medical Officer, Dr Frank Atherton really wants to “keep pace with emerging public health concerns” then he and the Minister for Health (Ms Rebecca Evans) must surely also include vaping in the ban?

In December 2016, the US Surgeon General issued a report: E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults which concluded that e-cigarette use among the youth is now a public health concern and steps must be taken by parents, educators and especially policymakers to discourage the use of e-cigarettes.

Vaping exposes e-cigarette users to several harmful chemicals, including nicotine, carbonyl compounds and volatile organic compounds.

Nicotine is not safe and has a negative impact on adolescent brain development with lasting cognitive and behavioural impairments including effects on working memory and attention.

The emissions from e-cigarettes have been found to contain formaldehyde, benzene, acetaldehyde and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (all carcinogenic).

In the USA nine states have prohibited e-cigarettes used in the same places where smoking is banned. 

Were Dr Frank Atherton and Ms Rebecca Evans aware of the above report and its recommendations?

Terry Banfield 
Cardigan Crescent
Croesyceiliog
Cwmbran