Sir, – Iarnód Éireann announced that it is to ban electronic cigarettes in all its stations and trains because, they claim, they have had feedback from customers. Apparently these complainers object to inhaling somebody else’s vapour.
Do these people also complain about inhaling diesel fumes from the train itself? Diesel fumes are a designated carcinogen, ie cancer-causing to humans. Do the complainers object to inhaling everything that fellow passengers exhale also? Do they have a problem inhaling the flatulence of other travellers? How do they feel about the germs of others that they inevitably come in contact with? The perfumes and aftershaves of others must surely drive them wild. Perhaps they should demand a carriage all to themselves.
This ban is based on ignorance and intolerance and an unhealthy phobia around tobacco consumption or anything that might look like it. Electronic cigarettes are the single best aid to quitting smoking and it is official policy to “encourage” smokers to quit by whatever means they can. Is Iarnód Éireann attempting to discourage quitters?
Smokers are taxpayers too and help fund the train service. As a dual user of both electronic cigarettes and tobacco, currently on the road to quitting smoking completely, I object strongly to this intrusive move by Iarnód Éireann. It might be instructive for all of us if the complaints were published with names and addresses included, or would that be too intrusive for the intolerant moaners? – Yours, etc,
JOHN MALLON,
Mayfield,
Cork.
Sir, – I hear Iarnród Éireann is banning “vaping” because it makes some people “feel uncomfortable”. Will they also ban groin/armpit scratching, sneezing, arguments, unsightly bare thighs, smelly feet, inappropriate cleavage, bad breath, because these things make some people “feel uncomfortable”? I’m sure your readers can think of many other things that could also be banned, now that they’ve started the ball rolling. – Yours, etc,
TOM FARRELL,
Hawthorn Park,
Swords, Co Dublin.