Joe Walker

A PUB landlord has turned to technology in an innovative attempt to beat the smoking ban.

Rising Sun boss Carl Wright, 40, has started selling electronic cigarettes at the Reculver Road pub after customers moaned about smoking outside in the wet and cold.

The electronic device simulates the functions of a real cigarette using a cartridge filled with nicotine and tobacco flavouring.

Smoking tobacco and being in possession of any other lit substance in a form which can be smoked was banned in pubs under the Health Act 2006.

But the electronic cigarette is exempt from the act as it contains no tobacco, is not lit and produces no smoke from burning substances.

Carl, a smoker for more than 20 years, says the idea is catching on and could help boost business.

"If it wasn't for the ban everyone would still be smoking in pubs," he said.

"But now they have to smoke outside, in the horrible British weather, leaving fag butts all over the car park.

"With the electronic cigarette, there's no smell, no residue, and no harmful chemicals.

"Of course it's not the same, but it's pretty similar."

As well as keeping smokers in the pub and combating the loss of trade, Carl says the electronic cigarette could help smokers quit.

"It's really helping me cut down and would be ideal for those wanting to quit," he said.

"You can taste the nicotine, feel the inhalation and once you've finished you feel like you've had a fag.

"The end even lights up and a vapour resembling smoke comes out so you couldn't get any closer to smoking a real fag.

"I just keep it in my pocket and when I feel like a cigarette have a couple of puffs and the craving goes away.

"The cartridges come in different strengths of nicotine so you can actually wean yourself off them."

At £36.99 each, the cigarettes are not cheap, but Carl says the cost of cartridges makes up for the initial outlay.

"Once you've paid for the actual device the cartridges are only 80p for the equivalent of 10 fags," he said.

"So essentially you're getting a pack of 20 for only £1.60, and you're not smoking the 400 odd toxic substances produced by lit tobacco."