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Health chiefs have given the go-ahead for the use of e-cigarettes on the grounds of Vale of Leven Hospital.

Smoking was banned several years ago, forcing staff to walk round to Tullichewan or have a puff in their cars.

But the rules have been relaxed on vaping in a bid to further cut smoking rates.

This comes despite mounting evidence that e-cigarettes are also toxic and that the flavouring chemical diacetyl, often found in them, is extremely harmful to the lungs.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) says e-cigarettes can now be used on hospital grounds by patients, visitors and staff — but crucially not within buildings or at entrances or exits to hospitals and other health facilities.

It is hoped that the new policy will help change the behaviour of a small hardcore of people who continue to smoke on hospital grounds and especially around hospital entrances.

Dr Emilia Crighton, director of public health, NHS GGC, said: “Tobacco is still the most common preventable cause of death in Scotland with smoking to blame for around a quarter of all deaths.

“We’re now allowing e-cigarettes on our grounds to give our patients, staff and visitors more choice in how they quit smoking.

“We have seen the percentage of people who smoke fall from 37.5 percent to 25 per cent over the past 10 years. I believe allowing e-cigarette use is the next tool in that fight and it will play a role in reducing that figure even more.”

The Lennox Herald asked our Facebook followers their views on this move by the health board.

George Rice, from Alexandria, commented: “They should ban e-cigs as well.

“The whole point of the smoking ban was to improve public health. Aside from the irony of damaging your health within the grounds of a health provider, the rise of e-cigs is negating a lot of the progress we’ve made since 2006.

“Nicotine is incredibly harmful. Whether it comes in the form of an e-cig or a tobacco product is irrelevant.”

Craig McDougall, from Dumbarton, responded: “Hospital stays and visits are usually highly stressful, for numerous reasons. I honestly think more leniency would be a good thing and have the smoking rules relaxed (probably designated areas away from foot traffic).”

The health board says its smokefree services has been used by more than 150,000 people over the past five years.

Smokers looking to quit should call Smokeline on 0800 84 84 84 for information, walk into any pharmacy for support or visit the website www.nhsggc.org.uk/smokefreeservices.