THE failure of an attempt to throw out a proposed ban on using e-cigarettes in hospitals, schools, places food is served and other public places in Wales has been met with a mixed reaction.

The bid by the Welsh Liberal Democrats to remove the proposal from the Welsh Government’s Public Health (Wales) Bill failed to win the support of AMs on Tuesday, despite some claiming it will unfairly penalise smokers who use e-cigarettes as part of an attempt to kick the habit.

The news received a mixture of support and objection from Argus readers.

Alan Styles of Blaenavon emailed to say he was concerned the vapour blown out by users of e-cigarettes contained nicotine and therefore could be dangerous to passers-by.

“Without the required determination by the user to stop smoking, e-cigarettes are no more helpful than using nicotine tablets for assistance,” he said.

“The NHS stop smoking campaign would be better advised to promote nicotine tablets which can be taken in any public place without polluting the lungs of any nearby person with nicotine.

“For this reason e-cigarettes should have the same restrictive public use areas as given to tobacco cigarettes.”

Writing on Facebook Julie Natasha Cosgrove said: “It’s still smoking, most ecigs still contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals, it's not one rule for one and another rule for another, ban the lot!”

But Maryn Butler refuted her claims, saying AMs had “put the best way of giving up tobacco on the back burner until the next administration can sort it out”.

Readers also engaged in a lively debate in the comments section of an article on Tuesday’s decision on the Argus website.

Commenter Crossbenchtory said: “I smoked 30 a day for around 25 years – three years ago I took up vaping and have not even wanted a cigarette since.

“Lesson, e-cigs potentially saved my life.”

But grumpyandopinionated, who said they had smoked both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes, said they believed smoking in public was “disrespectful”.

“I don't think that you should be allowed to smoke anywhere were the public are, no matter if it's a health issue or not,” they said. “People have chosen not to smoke and their decision should be respected.”

AMs also voted on Tuesday to extend the proposed ban to playgrounds, school grounds, childcare facilities, sports centres, most shops, zoos, libraries, amusement parks and museums. Specialist e-cigarette shops, sex establishments, casinos and gambling shops, pubs and bars which do not serve food, pharmacy consulting rooms, adult hospices, care homes and private homes will be exempt.

A final vote on the bill will be held next week.

To view the full bill visit gov.wales.