Since its meteoric rise, vaping has faced countless obstacles from governments, corporations and hidden interests. This has lead to "studies" claiming they're more harmful than traditional tobacco, a suggested ban of their use in public from the WHO, an attempted EU wide ban through shady means, and of course a banning policy of their use in many offices, public spaces and establishments around the UK.
Now there is a glimmer of hope at long last coming from, of all places, the House of Commons. Following the considerable efforts of MPs and their staff, new guidelines – pending approval by Speaker John Bercow, will allow vaping indoors at the House of Commons in three locations, Portcullis House, the MPs’ own offices, and Stranger’s pub. For the MPs of Westminster and perhaps vaping at large, this is a strong win that could indicate a turnaround in the perception towards electronic cigarettes and their use. Granted it's only three areas of a massive estate but even that is a great win given that the initial effort was for a designated "vaping room".
While not definitive, especially given that the Administration Committee wanted to ban vaping in the Commons chamber and the main areas where tour groups walk through as recently as November according to a report by the Mail on Sunday, this is a huge step forward
What this essentially means is no more huddling in the freezing cold outside Portcullis House for MPs, which could spell a brighter future for vapers as a whole. The electronic cigarette industry are welcoming this bit of news with great enthusiasm, it's a big boost that has been long in the waiting for a billion pound industry that has been growing steadily over the last few years despite the resistance it still faces. There is hope that moving forwards vapers will have more options and more public areas to enjoy vaping indoors as perceptions change towards vaping.