[Closed] Vaping in the workplace

in designated areas where you can smoke and nowhere else

'Haven't you got anything better to worry about?' seems to cover it at our place.

'Do what you like, but not in front of anyone important' gets trotted out quite a bit too these days.

Standard no smoking or vaping in the workplace.

Depends on the workplace. I do it just now(all though I do do it without any exhaust vape(about 95%), take tiny hits.) The workplace is has a high proportion of smokers and ex-smokers though, older. couple of us do it at our wee group of desks. Had no complaints.

Saying that though, we're moving from an industrial unit to a customer facing office at the end of the month, so that'll rap that on the heid(no a bad thing tbh, will probably be conducive to me in giving up, or at least massively cutting down on vaping.). I'll even need to wear a shirt to work! 😆

So, I've not even asked, but you just take it as read that it'll be a no go in that environment. I'll even mention to the others in-case they haven't clicked. I'll need to find somewhere private to have the odd sneaky vape. No like smoking, you can just jump into the kitchen and puff away in private.

Same treatment as smoking at my place.

There are more than enough dodgy chemicals floating around the office already with Mick & Shuengs fart-offs without the addition of vaping as well.

😯

😆

Banned anywhere on work property comes under the no smoking polciy.

Same as smoking simple rule not allowed in the building at all.

[quote=Drac ]Banned anywhere on work property comes under the no smoking polciy.

Do people understand/follow that ban ? As with my former place, the company policy was no-vaping but as it wasn't a UK legislative thing then some people seemed oblivious.

Do people understand/follow that ban ?

the company policy was no-vaping but as it wasn't a UK legislative thing then some people [s]seemed oblivious[/s] continued to be asshats with their douche-flutes

FTFY

my workplace treated the same a cigarettes

Some silly mare decided to lock herself in the toilet for a cheeky vape on our last flight to Fuerterventura. Set off the smoke alarm and refused to open the door when the flight crew challenged her. Bit of a squeaky bum moment !
Had a police escort off the plane though

Some people just can't follow simple rules

in designated areas where you can smoke and nowhere else

Ironic/cruel if vaping in order to quit smoking - having to stand with smokers?

Treated the same as smoking for us, and students, too.

Do people understand/follow that ban ? As with my former place, the company policy was no-vaping but as it wasn't a UK legislative thing then some people seemed oblivious.

What Mike and Captain said.

Anyone sitting opposite me stinking out the room with tropical douchery vape, while I'm trying to concentrate, will get some stern words.

Ironic/cruel if vaping in order to quit smoking - having to stand with smokers?

I shall see if we can get them a special tree to stand under.

I shall see if we can get them a special tree to stand under.

😆

And some stocks

[img] [/img]

Official policy is not to do it indoors.

We've unofficially allowed it in our office on the proviso that a) no-one complains and b) if they get pulled up for it it's their own lookout and "Cougar said it was ok" is no defence. Hardly anyone vapes anyway, and those who do do it infrequently.

Oh we have those as well [and worse ] in my workplace

THe smoking area is actually underneath a tree. It has a bench though so its far more luxurious than I made it sound 😉

mikewsmith - Member
Do people understand/follow that ban ?

Most places I've worked it following instructions/rules was a disciplinary offence. Makes no difference what the source was if you can't follow instructions then your a liability.
If you can't follow a rule for respecting the work environment then you were probably heading for the door too.

Now vapours aren't that bad.

I work offshore in oil and gas. They're not even allowed in your bags to get on the platform.

Liquid nicotine is a hazardous substance, so the heli operators won't carry it.
The chargers/lithium batteries are generally cheap rubbish that poses a fire hazard.

I always envisage you in a nazi uniform in these threads!

On just about every thread I envisage him something like this guy...

[img] [/img]

...but with a few more chins, obviously.

Only marginally less disgusting than fags, so no.

We use the universal omni-law: don't take the piss.
An actual e-cig discretely blown into a corner; no problem.
One of the fag box sized jobbies that can create its own weather system; no, get out.

I don't think it's ever needed any rules in our office, those that vape go outside or possibly have a cheeky discreet blast in the bogs.

I smoke and I'd find it annoying of someone was sat next to pumping out strawberry flavour clouds, not from a health point of view its just a bit rude, like people who bring noxious food in like kippers and stink the eating area out.

I work regularly for a great little design agency who have one of the main e-cig manufacturers as a client. Everyone vapes at their desks, and there's a huge array of devices and liquids to try. It's ace! 🙂

As an aside, I've just been told by Scrabble that 'vape' isnt a word

It is if you're French.

(You could have "pave" of course...)

Can douche-flute be a verb?

teethgrinder - Member
Can douche-flute be a verb?

😆

As our 'workplace' is a car, and always someone else's, then smoking/vaping is expressly verboten!* Two of the team smoke/vape, so as soon as we pitch up at services or anywhere outdoors they're first out of the team car puffing away. When asked why he doesn't use an ecig, Jerry said it made him cough - which made everyone laugh as he coughs his lungs up as soon as he takes a drag on one of his rollups!
*A slight irony there in that some cars we pick up absolutely reek of fags, often with little pots full of dogends left in the car... 🙄
It's either that or dogs.

I always envisage you in a nazi uniform in these threads!
On just about every thread I envisage him something like this guy...

its just a bit rude, like people who bring noxious food in like kippers and stink the eating area out.

Same rule with food. Officially you can't eat at your desk, unofficially I allow it in our area so long as it's not pungent.

If someone brought a 'kipper in I'd have them both escorted from the premises. (-:

Liquid nicotine is a hazardous substance, so the heli operators won't carry it.

I'm not disputing it, but I'm interested to know how hazardous nicotine liquid actually is (on a helicopter)

Me...

On just about every thread I envisage him something like this guy...

You...

Just that I have worked in some well regulated industries that don't tolerate a cheeky breaking of the rules (for very good reasons)

[img] [/img]

🙂

Thanks for that, guess I just like rules.... Or have seen too many times what not paying attention to them means for people. Maybe you should try working somewhere that this stuff really matters.

Maybe you should try working somewhere that this stuff really matters.

You have no idea of where I work or have worked or what I do. But top marks for missing the point yet again...

🙂

Edit : To clarify. You come across like this guy on MOST threads...

[img] [/img]

...not just on this particular subject. That's regardless of whether or not your opinion is fact.

Only marginally less disgusting than fags, so no.

I'd rather have smokers back in pubs than breathe in some of the foul smelling dense fogs of sickly sweet shite that the chavs blow out walking down the street.

nealglover - Member
Liquid nicotine is a hazardous substance, so the heli operators won't carry it.
I'm not disputing it, but I'm interested to know how hazardous nicotine liquid actually is (on a helicopter)

It's UN class 6.1 (toxic) at concentrations above 1%, which brings it under transport of dangerous goods - even if you're only talking about small quantities found in e-cigs. The heli operators won't carry any dangerous goods without reams of paperwork (and even then probably not on a mixed passenger/cargo flight).
Exploding chargers are the bigger hazard for me though.

But then again I'd have any form of smoking banned offshore, if they'd let me make the rules!

Nicotine is a drug no ? Makes you wonder where it would sit if there was a drug policy in place.

As far as vaping its no better than smoking, but as usual asshats that do try to justify it.

Bit off topic but, I've just recruited a guy via internal transfer and I'd been informally advised not to take him on as he smokes/vapes. It appears that people perceive that as he takes 10 mins out every hour or so he's lazy/non productive.

There appears to be prejudice developing against folks who vape etc I'm glad I took the guy on based upon his interview as he's excellent and works hard to cover the breaks (one of those who commented spends longer in the kitchen each hour)

Btw I've never smoked

As far as vaping its no better than smoking,

In what way ?

Bit off topic but, I've just recruited a guy via internal transfer and I'd been informally advised not to take him on as he smokes/vapes. It appears that people perceive that as he takes 10 mins out every hour or so he's lazy/non productive.

There appears to be prejudice developing against folks who vape etc I'm glad I took the guy on based upon his interview as he's excellent and works hard to cover the breaks (one of those who commented spends longer in the kitchen each hour)

Btw I've never smoked

I appreciate the irony of the other worker being as bad but a 10min rest break every hour (on top I presume of the entitled rest breaks) is a lot of resting. Working hard the rest of the time doesn't cut it as you are meant to be doing that anyway. Unless there is a culture of 10 minutes off every 60 for all then thats ok. I don't think that's anti smoker/vaper just equity in time off. It's smokers who feel entitled to 10 mins off every hour in addition to the coffee making breaks, the toilet breaks and a full length lunch break who give the rest a bad rep as workers or colleagues.

In what way ?

In as far as keeping your dirty second hand chemical shit to yourselves,I dont mind used CO2 but the rest of the stinking crap.

I dont mind used CO2

Probably just as well you would struggle to breath without it.

Probably just as well you would struggle to breath without it.

CO2 is deemed an asphyxiant gas, isn't it. So not really...

In my workplace smokers / vapers don't get any extra breaks 3 breaks in a 13 hr shift.

a 10min rest break every hour

Whilst they said it's "perceived" rather than actually the case, that's almost working a four day week!

The biggest issue I have with smoking at work is that the same concessions must be offered to non-smokers. Do they get the same time off in not-smoking breaks?

I'm lucky enough to work in a fairly relaxed environment, so it's a non-issue. It's a bit more regimented in call-centre areas as coverage has to be managed, but outside of that people can go for coffee / smoke / play pool as they feel the need.

3 breaks in a 13 hr shift.

Unless the law is different in Scotland, or I'm misremembering which is entirely possible, that's breaking the law as you're legally obliged to a 15m break every four hours.

As is the usual, it's banned where I work under the no smoking policy. I can't say I really mind it though, I wouldn't want someone blowing huge vapour clouds over me but generally it's a fairly pleasant second-hand smoke experience.

In as far as keeping your dirty second hand chemical shit to yourselves,I dont mind used CO2 but the rest of the stinking crap.

You sound like fun. You do realise.....

[img] [/img]

😀

You do realise.....

These days you just end up cold and wet missing half the conversation

but generally it's a fairly pleasant second-hand smoke experience.

Got to admit I don't mind it either. It might well turn out to be double hard nasty but there are far worse smell experiences than being vape clouded. I have a bit of a coffee problem but share an office with someone who hates the smell - I'm probably just as antisocial knowing that and still continuing to drink it if not more. My argument is that without coffee I'm a total arsehole (even more so) so I'd be a total hypocrite to think differently of the nicotine addicts.

Due to family circumstances I'm very anti smoking but struggle to get too excised about vaping.

Cougar - Moderator

3 breaks in a 13 hr shift.

Unless the law is different in Scotland, or I'm misremembering which is entirely possible, that's breaking the law as you're legally obliged to a 15m break every four hours.

I am fairly sure its up to 6 hrs one 15 min break, 6-10 a half hour break no more than 6 hrs without a break. We are actually well above the legal minimums -2 of the breaks are unpaid, one is paid

We don't have a current policy, of the 19 people in my office, we don't have any smokers / vapers.

We did have this strange lad working for us for a bit, The Hippest Hipster you've ever met (although he hated the term so we stopped using it), American too, spent a few years traveling South America teaching kids English and somehow ended up here. He fired up this massive looking thing once in the smallest office in the building he shared with one of the directors, within 30 seconds our interim policy was decided on and it was classified as a paddling offence.

I don't like the smell of them, I know they're supposed to come in all sorts of flavours, but they all seem to smell the same. I believe the way the industry came from no where to huge in a few short years is suspect, as is the claims it's completely safe, or safer, or slightly less deadly than smoker - depending who you ask, I fear the true risk factor won't be known for many years, I hope they're as safe as they claim to be, but I have my doubts, until then, I’d rather not second-hand Vape.

teasel - Member
Probably just as well you would struggle to breath without it.
CO2 is deemed an asphyxiant gas, isn't it. So not really...

Chemoreceptor Negative Feedback

Negative feedback responses have three main components: the sensor, the integrating sensor, and the effector. For the respiratory rate, the chemoreceptors are the sensors for blood pH, the medulla and pons form the integrating center, and the respiratory muscles are the effector.

Consider a case in which a person is hyperventilating from an anxiety attack. Their increased ventilation rate will remove too much carbon dioxide from their body. Without that carbon dioxide, there will be less carbonic acid in blood, so the concentration of hydrogen ions decreases and the pH of the blood rises, causing alkalosis.

In response, the chemoreceptors detect this change, and send a signal to the medulla, which signals the respiratory muscles to decrease the ventilation rate so carbon dioxide levels and pH can return to normal levels.

Source: Boundless. “Chemoreceptor Regulation of Breathing.” Boundless Anatomy and Physiology Boundless, 21 Sep. 2016. Retrieved 20 Mar. 2017 from https://www.boundless.com/physiology/textbooks/boundless-anatomy-and-physiology-textbook/respiratory-system-22/respiration-control-212/chemoreceptor-regulation-of-breathing-1039-6384/

Thanks. I stand corrected.

And it's always nice to have a technical rather than pissy response.

Not allowed on our offices either - it's treated the same as smoking.

The QS's are all in a satellite office just up the road from the main one, and I don't even know where the smoking area would be (no one smokes or vapes among us). Quite a few smoke / vape in the main office.

mikewsmith - Member
Thanks for that, guess I just like rules.... Or have seen too many times what not paying attention to them means for people. Maybe you should try working somewhere that this stuff really matters.

Ahh so now I know what you do, ASDA manager! 😆 Very important stuff you know, harrumphh! 😆

Cheers Scapegoat saved me a lot of typing.

philxx1975 - Member
Nicotine is a drug no ? Makes you wonder where it would sit if there was a drug policy in place.

As far as vaping its no better than smoking, but as usual asshats that do try to justify it.

Tea and coffee contain caffeine, also a drug. The key differences are that they, like nicotine don't really intoxicate or impare you like, Jack Daniel's or cocain would.

Key difference is that someone drinking coffee tends do not enter the blood stream of those sat near them.

Key difference is that someone drinking coffee tends do not enter the blood stream of those sat near them.

That may be relevant as to its social acceptance, but not particularly relevant in the context that mattyfez was replying to (drug policy)

And even related to its social acceptance, "passive vaping" has been studied independently and the conclusion so far is that it poses no risk.

neal - no actually the conclusion was they could not prove a risk. Not the same at all. Nor could they prove it safe.

So far yes. Tobacco once was seen as a health benefit.

[img] [/img]

Thankfully for folk where I work, performance and quality are valued far more than attendance. If my team want to spend 10mins an hour poisoning themselves and can still meet their obligations then that's ok. I'd rather they didn't vape etc but that's just because I'd rather they look after themselves etc

The key point is no one is saying vaping is healthy, they are just saying, and the evidence supports it, is that is lot safer than smoking tobacco.

The nicotine in tobacco is addictive but not particularly harmful in the doses required when smoking or vaping, it's the burning and inhalation of all the other chemicals in tobacco that cause health hazards.

To put it into context, walking down a busy high street with all the diesel cars is probably far more dangerous than passive vaping.

neal - no actually the conclusion was they could not prove a risk. Not the same at all. Nor could they prove it safe.

I'd be interested to read the source of the research, I'm going on second hand info

(although in my defence, it was from a doctor so I presumed it to be reliable)

Neal - its really a semantic point. One of the conclusions from the report IIRC was it should be treated as dangerous as it has not been around long enough to know what the long term effects are.

to say its less dangerous than tobacco smoking is fair enough. To say there is no evidence of harm at the moment is fair enough. To say it is harmless is premature

Edit - I think the links are here
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2015/08August/Pages/E-cigarettes-95-per-cent-less-harmful-than-smoking-says-report.aspx

Neal - its really a semantic point.

If you say so.
Your interpretation of the current research is very different from that of my doctor
I was just interested to read what you read to reach that conclusion.
(I will ask the doc the same thing now, as it seems it's not as cut and dried as she made it sound)

Edit- this is a genuine concern rather than starting an argument.

Well the fact is nicotine is poisonous, that's a given, it's scientifically proven, so vaping, by definition cannot be harmless.

However, the miniscule doses of nicotine in smoking and vaping are essentially harmless in the context of all the other chemicals present in tobacco, nicotine is simply the addictive component, it's all the other stuff in cigarettes that's highly carcinogenic. And those chemicals are not present in vaping liquids.

Drac » Cheers Scapegoat saved me a lot of typing.

I'm sorry but there's no way you could've written anything as eloquent as Scapegoat and most definitely not without being pissy.

🙂

Neal - I am a pedantic git if you haven't noticed whereas your doctor would be trying to give you the basics simply

I'm sorry but there's no way you could've written anything as eloquent as Scapegoat and most definitely not without being pissy.

Well given I scored 100% when I had to write about the mechancis of breathing some years ago scoring a high disctinction I'm not sure you're right there.

I also didn't need to cut and paste. 😀

Blimey over 20 years ago come to think of it.

Neal - I am a pedantic git if you haven't noticed whereas your doctor would be trying to give you the basics simply

I can't find anything in the links from the page you posted that says passive vaping is anything other than harmless/ of a risk.
I may have missed something as I haven't read it all. However I certainly haven't found any conclusions, as you suggested, that say it should be considered dangerous ?

Well given I scored 100% when I had to write about the mechancis of breathing some years ago scoring a high disctinction I'm not sure you're right there.

Blimey over 20 years ago come to think of it.

Hmmm. In all the years I've perused this forum I've yet to see any evidence of your [s]penmanship[/s] keyboardmanship, so perhaps the passage of time has taken its toll. I suppose I'll just have to take your word for it.

I was right about the pissy bit, though, wasn't I...

EDIT : 😛