Calls from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ban e-cigarettes have been rejected by the Department of Health.
A report from the WHO has called for a ban on the use of the devices in enclosed spaces.
Although they are less toxic than their tobacco equivalents, some chemicals in e-cigarette liquids are carcinogenic and are dangerous for pregnant women and adolescents in particular.
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, the report published by the WHO, states that e-cigarette vapour raises toxins such as nicotine and particulates in the air. This is contrary to some advertising that suggests the device's aerosol is not merely "water vapour". They also point out that their is still no evidence they help smokers to quit and could even be a "gateway to addiction" for those who do not already smoke.
The WHO feels so strongly that it has recommended that "legal steps should be taken to end use of e-cigarettes indoors and in public and work places".
This must also be weighed against estimates from experts claiming switching from tobacco to e-cigarettes could save more than 50 000 smokers' lives in the UK.
While the Welsh Government are considering these recommendations, the Department of Health in England have no plans for such provisions, but does plan to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s by 2016.
The whole of the UK will implement EU Directive 2014/40/EU on Tobacco Products, from 2016. This regulates the amount of nicotine in e-cigarettes, along with bans on the majority of advertising and sets standards for ingredients, labelling and packaging.
This leaves health and safety professionals in a quandary if they are exploring e-cigarette use in their organisations.
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