Everyone knows that you are not allowed to smoke on the Tube system. If you were not aware of the 1987 King’s Cross fire that killed 27 people, started by a dropped match on an escalator, that resulted in the ban, the incessant reminders over tube and train tannoy systems could not be missed. Such a ban was introduced for good reason, but what Transport for London (TfL) have now done through introducing a network and premises-wide ban on electronic cigarettes is unfathomable.

If you did not know about this ban it’s not at all surprising because TfL decided to introduce it without consultation or public announcement. Essentially, any passenger caught vaping on buses, trains, tubes, platforms or depots can now face fines. The ban does not cover bus stops as TfL does not have control over these particular areas.

The decision to introduce the new rules has been brought in under the radar by changing the ‘conditions of carriage’, which now read: “For safety reasons, on our buses and trains and in our bus and Underground stations you must not smoke or use an electronic cigarette (‘vape’)’.”

Jill Collis, Director of Health, Safety and Environment at TfL states: “The full inclusion was brought in this August to remove potential for confusion and allow staff to approach any customer either smoking or using an Electronic Smoking Device with confidence... This would mitigate any residual potential fire risk and reduce the potential for staff assault by providing clarity and consistency in the treatment of all customers using our services.”

So, essentially, the reason why Britain’s 2.1 million e-cigarette users are no longer allowed to vape anywhere on the TfL network or premises is because they fear their staff will not be able to tell the difference between a real cigarette and an electronic one! The difference between the two is so fundamental that this makes a mockery of the decision.

Undoubtedly this move by TfL will be no more than an unnecessary irritation to vapers in London who are a hardy bunch. They have to be, after all they have already had to put up with WHO misinterpretation of statistics, uninformed professionals and headline hunters spreading unsubstantiated rumours about safety, and plenty of bandwagon chasers more than happy to stick the boot in. Thankfully there a plenty of real scientists, addiction specialists and commentators who recognise the massive benefits that all vapers already know about when it comes to e-cigarette’s role in helping smokers to give up their toxic addiction.

Come on TfL, in the wake of the Government allowing e-cigarettes to be shown on TV adverts from this month, surely you can take five minutes to educate your staff in what an electronic cigarette looks like and drop this stupid ban.