ELECTRONIC cigarettes have been banned from Blackburn College.

A national no-smoking ban came into force in July 2007, but the use of electronic cigarettes – largely used by people trying to quit – falls outside the legislation.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered products that typically look like real cigarettes. Each e-cigarette contains a cartridge of liquid nicotine which turns the nicotine, flavour and other chemicals into a vapour that is inhaled by the user.

However, individual companies have the power to determine whether or not they allow them to be used in their business.

Derek Heap, deputy director of estates at Blackburn College: “The use of electronic cigarettes on our campus was carefully considered and debated by the college leadership team.

“The approach agreed on aims to avoid confusion between electronic cigarettes and tobacco smoking, by providing a consistent message that smoking or ‘perceived smoking’ is unacceptable in these locations.

“This also supports and reinforces the actions of staff adhering to the college smoke-free policy and reminding tobacco smokers to move away from entrances and exits and use the designated shelters.”