Vapour trail

The benefits of the smoking ban are being threatened by the spread of e-cigarettes, which allow smokers relief from nicotine withdrawal while in public places.

Far from encouraging smokers to give up, they bridge the gap until the next tobacco cigarette can be legally lit.

Sadly, you are wrong to speculate that most smokers will use them as a way of giving up (your editorial, 29 January). E-cigarettes are advertised as an alternative to tobacco, not an alternative to the smoking habit.

Enforcement of the ban will become harder if they become a common sight in places where it applies. The Glasgow 2014 organisers are quite right to impose a total ban.

ROBERT DRYSDALE

Primrose Bank Road

Edinburgh