The safety of e-cigarettes has been questioned for as long as they have been around.

There has been concern that the effects of some of the chemicals they contain are unknown.

There is also a fear that the widespread use of e-cigarettes will normalise the consumption of nicotine, undoing the social changes which resulted from the smoking ban .

The British Medical Association has previously called for a ban in public places and no e-cigarettes have yet been licensed. But a government report says the electronic versions are far less harmful than cigarettes and recommends that GPs should be able to prescribe them.

It opens up a huge dilemma. Illnesses caused by smoking cost the NHS billions every year so being able to prescribe something safe which has helped many people quit must be a positive step.

But, of course, the government also takes in millions from tobacco duties.

In the middle are the e-cigarette producers, one of whom in East Lancashire, believes they should remain a commercial entity and not available at a cost to the taxpayer.

Whichever way you look at it, money talks, but health and life-chances must come first.