Concerns raised over people smoking and vaping in shop queues in Derry

He made his comments after he received complaints that some people in queues are smoking or vaping and those beside them are getting the effects of it and have nowhere to go as they can’t afford to lose their place in the queue.

Colr. Cooper said: “I was quite surprised when I received a number of calls and messages through social media by people concerned about the practice of smoking or vaping in queues outside business premises. They were quite concerned that with the large queues outside many outlets and with people having to stand in some cases for up to an hour and having to practice social distancing that they have nowhere to go if someone in front or behind them starts smoking or vaping.

“I am appealing to people in queues to think of those around them before lighting up, and the effects smoking has on other people’s health. This is not about trying to tell people what to do; this is about a common sense approach in very trying times.”