E-cig use / vaping in the workplace?

maryburnz · 04-02-2014 6:31pm #1

Hi.

A colleague of mine has just recently started using an electronic / vapour cigarette in work. We sit at the same desk - literally 2 feet away from each other. Since he's started using it I've noticed I get this constant dry taste in my mouth as he's using it. My colleague tends to use it for long periods, for example 30 mins + at a time.

He was out on holidays for a few weeks and I had no issues at all - so Im pretty sure it has to do with the vapour from the e-cigarette. Im happy that he's smoking less - it's not a serious thing, but at the same time I'm curious if anyone else has noticed this side effect or had similar feedback from colleagues while using it?

For people that use them in your workplace, do you tend to use it at your desk or in your place of work constantly? Or would you generally leave the room, use it in the same manner you would with a traditional cigarette?

Interested to hear what the general consensus is on this, if anyone has had similar feedback?

Thanks.

MonstaMash · 04-02-2014 6:45pm

I would leave the room & use it in the same manner as a traditional cigarette, especially after setting off the smoke detectors on the fire system in work

:pac:

The suits would prefer it that way as well & are actually in the process of re-writing the staff handbook to reflect this :rolleyes:

DirtyBollox · 04-02-2014 7:22pm

Some places make you go outside some don't. and again some treat it like a smoke and go out on a vape break. if its bothering you say something. whilst it is great that he has cut down he should be aware of how it affects others around him especially of its clouds of vapour.

Vaperus · 04-02-2014 7:22pm

usually leave the room
Gets me away from the desk
You usually get to find out more of whats going on in the smoking area

sometimes if working late and its quite will have a crafty vape at the desk

the_syco · 04-02-2014 7:27pm

Tell him, as he may not be aware that anyone else is affected. He'll most likely go elsewhere for his vape.

visual · 04-02-2014 7:52pm

I dont smoke or vape at work but I have never know any one to be affected by second hand vaper. But I do know a few people who see e cigs in the same light as cigarettes

grindle · 04-02-2014 7:56pm

Vape off the shop floor at work, never had any issues apart from people wanting a sniff of whatever it is.

naughtysmurf · 04-02-2014 9:00pm

In fairness, if I worked two feet away from somebody all day in an office environment, I wouldn't vape unless they were ok with it, if you think it's affecting you, then mention it to him.

Luckily enough for me I can vape away at work, it's a small company & airy space & we are not up on top of each other

Nuttzz · 04-02-2014 9:02pm

We treat them the same as cigs and if you want it you need to use it outside the building

tommy2bad · 04-02-2014 9:19pm

Nuttzz wrote: »

We treat them the same as cigs and if you want it you need to use it outside the building

Whats the rational for this? Curious why you would class it as smoking when you are aware that it isn't. Do you have a policy on perfume or eating at desks as well?

Pique · 04-02-2014 10:59pm

I use mine at the desk but I asked everyone near me if they minded. None did so happy days.

spida · 04-02-2014 11:08pm

Pique wrote: »

None did so happy days.

Really though, what were they going to say?

Certainly having read this post you might consider re-asking, or just not vaping at your desk. IMHO.

Pique · 05-02-2014 12:17am

spida wrote: »

Really though, what were they going to say?

Certainly having read this post you might consider re-asking, or just not vaping at your desk. IMHO.

Do you guys mind if I use this?
No.
Seriously, if it makes you sneeze or cough or annoys you, let me know.
No it's fine, smells nice too.

What more do I need to ask? It's not as if there's clouds floating over my desk. I don't take the piss but when it's lashing rain I don't really want to go outside and freeze.

Orion · 05-02-2014 12:44am

tommy2bad wrote: »

Whats the rational for this? Curious why you would class it as smoking when you are aware that it isn't. Do you have a policy on perfume or eating at desks as well?

+1. I do take a vape break and go outside. Or vape while taking a dump

But treating it as smoking is crazy. Strong perfume really affects my sinuses and the smell of people eating egg sambos or curries at their desk is very annoying. Vaping is odourless.

Lister1 · 05-02-2014 9:47am

Vap at the desk here. I dont think the people nearby mind but perhaps I am oblivious to it. Really would hate to have to go outside as I am an ex-smoker I want to keep my distance from temptation....

was.deevey · 05-02-2014 10:39am

Vaping is odourless.

While I enjoy most vape smells, I'm not under any impression that they are odorless, far from it - and there are quite a few flavors emit utterly disgusting smells that I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemies.

Generally I go to smoking areas if its an office building, or at least outside the front door if its a restaurant or bar. Far as I'm concerned its my habit, and my problem, whatever smells get emitted good or bad are as a direct result of this habit and others should not need to be subjected to it due to a loophole in office or government policy on the matter.

In my humble opinion of course.

Giak · 05-02-2014 12:58pm

I'm vaping a tobacco flavour from Evo at the moment and a couple of colleagues told me my office smells mouldy. I stopped vaping and the mouldy smell went away... so I will vape this liquid in the jacks or outside.

I usually smoke Liqua American blend and never get complaints, so I will be going back to that for office Xtreme stealth-pro vaping.

MayoSalmon · 06-02-2014 7:47pm

The act of Vaping is very similar to smoking of course and hence I don't Vape at my desk.

It looks unprofessional and tacky in a workplace setting.

Just my 2 cents.

naughtysmurf · 06-02-2014 8:15pm

MayoSalmon wrote: »

The act of Vaping is very similar to smoking of course and hence I don't Vape at my desk.

It looks unprofessional and tacky in a workplace setting.

Just my 2 cents.

Depends on the setting, if dealing with the public it wouldn't look great but behind the scenes in say a workshop setting or similar i would think it's fine....don't see it as tacky

MayoSalmon · 06-02-2014 8:27pm

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Depends on the setting, if dealing with the public it wouldn't look great but behind the scenes in say a workshop setting or similar i would think it's fine....don't see it as tacky

The setting I am talking about is general open plan office.

Not sure if anybody has mentioned this yet but stealth vaping would work much better in the workplace I would imagine.

It is the sight of the plumes of smoke/vapour that make it look bad

tommy2bad · 06-02-2014 11:37pm

MayoSalmon wrote: »

The setting I am talking about is general open plan office.

Not sure if anybody has mentioned this yet but stealth vaping would work much better in the workplace I would imagine.

It is the sight of the plumes of smoke/vapour that make it look bad

Again with the objection to vapor. Have we become so propagandised that we have a pavlovian response to anything that looks like smoking. Dear God what will it be like when the de-normalization of sugar, salt, caffeine starts. Panic when someone drinks a beverage that looks sweet?

It's not smoke! We have moved on and ye need to deal with it.

naughtysmurf · 06-02-2014 11:53pm

tommy2bad wrote: »

Again with the objection to vapor. Have we become so propagandised that we have a pavlovian response to anything that looks like smoking. Dear God what will it be like when the de-normalization of sugar, salt, caffeine starts. Panic when someone drinks a beverage that looks sweet?

It's not smoke! We have moved on and ye need to deal with it.

It's mad really, If you stay onsite at a Disney Resort Hotel in Orlando, smoking is not allowed in guest rooms (fair enough) OR on balconies or patios attached to the guest room, only in designated smoking areas, you are allowed to use an e-cig in a guest room though (inside) but not on a balcony or patio (outside) in case somebody sees you & thinks you are smoking tobacco!! I can only assume that they expect some sort of chaos to ensue if someone is seen vaping

MayoSalmon · 06-02-2014 11:55pm

tommy2bad wrote: »

Again with the objection to vapor. Have we become so propagandised that we have a pavlovian response to anything that looks like smoking. Dear God what will it be like when the de-normalization of sugar, salt, caffeine starts. Panic when someone drinks a beverage that looks sweet?

It's not smoke! We have moved on and ye need to deal with it.

I need to deal with what? That fact that it is not smoke, I never said was, I said it resembles it.

Unfortunately the sooner the e-cig industry is regulated the better. It is also unfortunate that there is no concise health evidence against or for the things, everything at the moment is very grey. Lastly industry at present is not helping itself by deploying the same tactics the tobacco industry did many years ago....Sexy girl advertisements, fancy colors, fancy flavors etc etc.

All this is why the e-cigarette industry is getting a bad rap. Regulation is badly needed and once that is in place a serious PR campaign needs to be had before it just gets rapped into every anti-tobacco law in Ireland/Europe.

visual · 07-02-2014 1:47am

MayoSalmon wrote: »

I need to deal with what? That fact that it is not smoke, I never said was, I said it resembles it.

Unfortunately the sooner the e-cig industry is regulated the better. It is also unfortunate that there is no concise health evidence against or for the things, everything at the moment is very grey. Lastly industry at present is not helping itself by deploying the same tactics the tobacco industry did many years ago....Sexy girl advertisements, fancy colors, fancy flavors etc etc.

All this is why the e-cigarette industry is getting a bad rap. Regulation is badly needed and once that is in place a serious PR campaign needs to be had before it just gets rapped into every anti-tobacco law in Ireland/Europe.

The only reason its perceive to be bad is because some just want it to be. They are usually non smokers who just hate the thought someone else might be enjoying it.
Our small minded society has too many who justify their little lives by taking the moral high ground be it smoking over weight or anything that is new different or unusual.

Smoking ban justified some to vent their displeasure and take pleasure seeing smoker treated like 2nd class citizens. A electronic substitute is not going to change their bigoted view.

Is it the device or the liquid that they want tested is it the nicotine they object to
Or the fact it has vapor and can be nicotine free.
If aall smokers swithed to a tooth pick they be just as vocal just as up set and just as closed minded.

Some people just need a kick in the ass and told firmly to seek professional help for trying to impose their will on everyone else.

No one likes a control freek

MayoSalmon · 07-02-2014 2:20am

visual wrote: »

Smoking ban justified some to vent their displeasure and take pleasure seeing smoker treated like 2nd class citizens.

2nd hand smoke is extremely harmful and a proven killer. Smokers are not being treated as 2nd class citizens, they have just been told that if they want to smoke go do it besides your fellow smokers away from the non smoking population.

The smoking ban has undoubtedly saved lives.

tommy2bad · 07-02-2014 1:25pm

MayoSalmon wrote: »

I need to deal with what? That fact that it is not smoke, I never said was, I said it resembles it.

So what? Steam from a hot beverage resembles it so dose your breath on a cold day!

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Unfortunately the sooner the e-cig industry is regulated the better. It is also unfortunate that there is no concise health evidence against or for the things, everything at the moment is very grey.

It's not grey, it's black n white as you'll get. Their is no evidence of harm and clear evidence of benifit. I can cite the research but this thread would be going over old ground again.

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Lastly industry at present is not helping itself by deploying the same tactics the tobacco industry did many years ago....Sexy girl advertisements, fancy colors, fancy flavors etc etc.

And tactics that all industries use in advertising, even NRT, is it advertising in general you don't like because I with you on that one, as Bill Hicks said marketing men suck Satan's .....

MayoSalmon wrote: »

All this is why the e-cigarette industry is getting a bad rap. Regulation is badly needed and once that is in place a serious PR campaign needs to be had before it just gets rapped into every anti-tobacco law in Ireland/Europe.

Yes regulation is needed, not because their is none but because ecigs need specific regs that reflect the product. Not tobacco regs which is what we are getting mixed with in all but name medical regs.

It doesn't help when vapers assume that vaping is smoking and behave as if it were. It's not. We need to stop being smokers and start being vapers. No self imposed ban on public use, no acting as if we were harming anyone at all and stop accepting that we are just getting round bans.
I'm not saying that we should vape anywhere and everywhere, lets face it we wouldn't eat anywhere and everywhere or drink alcohol. But the idea that vaping should be not seen or done in public as they want smoking to be is nonsense. By accepting this we are giving them ( the nervous Nellies) a justification for their 'concerns' After all if we don't demonstrate confidence in vaping why should they not be concerned.

tommy2bad · 07-02-2014 1:32pm

MayoSalmon wrote: »

2nd hand smoke is extremely harmful and a proven killer. Smokers are not being treated as 2nd class citizens, they have just been told that if they want to smoke go do it besides your fellow smokers away from the non smoking population.

The smoking ban has undoubtedly saved lives.

I supported the smoking ban in enclosed spaces, it had evidence to support it and though they exaggerated that evidence on balance it was the right thing.
Extending the smoking ban to open spaces or including vaper in the ban is just plain wrong. Their's no harm to be removed or reduced by this extension, it's a step towards bullying to achieve an end. No matter how admirable the end, the method shames it and makes it supporters look petty and ridiculous. This will not be to their credit when another health issue is being pursued and like the boy who cried wolf, they will be ignored.
I get the feeling that the anti smoking movement has stopped being a health issue and morphed into some new moral crusade.

visual · 08-02-2014 1:25am

MayoSalmon wrote: »

2nd hand smoke is extremely harmful and a proven killer. Smokers are not being treated as 2nd class citizens, they have just been told that if they want to smoke go do it besides your fellow smokers away from the non smoking population.

The smoking ban has undoubtedly saved lives.

You have not made or chose to ignore the distinction between tobacco cigarettes and electronic vapor devices.

Your other post calling for regulation wasn't unqualified. I have the impression the equipment isn't the issue and the regulation your seeking is the use and sale of is governed.
What is sad is something different or new frightens some people and you accept media hysteria as fact and fail to see those calling for regulations are those seeking to benefit from its sale.

MayoSalmon · 09-02-2014 11:36pm

tommy2bad wrote: »

It's not grey, it's black n white as you'll get. Their is no evidence of harm and clear evidence of benifit. I can cite the research but this thread would be going over old ground again.

There is no evidence of harm? Do you actually believe that?

Nicotine delivers no benefits and developing a nicotine addiction certainly doesn't . I am looking at my dekang e-liquid bottle here beside me and it states if ingested please contact a doctor...harmful to say the least.

My main issue/concern with e-cigs is the flavoring. I find it hard to believe there is no harm in these artificial additives, it may be only minute but I am not going to kid myself for one minute and think oh that sweet cherry vapor or whatever I am inhaling is great for my lungs.

I have read in the past that they are food flavorings? That's great but still not sure if inhaling that into the lungs is best practice.

grindle · 10-02-2014 12:05am

MayoSalmon wrote: »

There is no evidence of harm? Do you actually believe that?

It's a fact. There is no evidence of long-term harm with relation to nicotine.

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Nicotine delivers no benefits

Experts on Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Tourette's, ADHD, schizophrenia, ulcerative colitis and some bipolar disorders disagree with you. The idea that you're using ecigs to replace cigs much like most on this forum suggests a clear health benefit that your argument attempts to negate for some reason.

MayoSalmon wrote: »

I am looking at my dekang e-liquid bottle here beside me and it states if ingested please contact a doctor...harmful to say the least.

Harmful to the children of irresponsible parents or mongoloids tempted to drink bottles of eliquid. Not harmful when used as intended as far as anybody on the planet knows, and they have been testing.
My chewing gum warns against excessive consumption due to phenylalanine and I've successfully avoided a bad case of the runs by not ingesting the whole pack. I wouldn't label chewing gum as harmful myself but we may have differing ideas on what is or isn't dangerous and why.

MayoSalmon · 10-02-2014 12:19am

grindle wrote: »

It's a fact. There is no evidence of long-term harm with relation to nicotine.

Yes there is. Its increases your heart rate, few beats per minute. There is also some evidence it may have other negative circulatory effects. It is dangerous to intake during pregnancy and It is highly addictive with its withdrawal symptoms being fairly common knowledge. While these may not warrant severe negatives to you or some people, they are negative none the less.

grindle · 10-02-2014 1:22am

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Yes there is. Its increases your heart rate, few beats per minute. There is also some evidence it may have other negative circulatory effects. It is dangerous to intake during pregnancy and It is highly addictive with its withdrawal symptoms being fairly common knowledge. While these may not warrant severe negatives to you or some people, they are negative none the less.

Cheese, tuna and pâté have to be avoided by pregnant ladies too. Madness, you'd swear the ladies were in a delicate condition or somethi...oh, wait...

Temporary increase in heart rate and constriction of vessels. Madness, you'd swear nicotine was a stimula...oh, wait...
People with excess heart problems or anxiety disorders should stay away from nicotine just as if it were caffeine or monosodium glutamate.
Again, people in delicate conditions. No indication of long-term harm from nicotine for the average person.

The withdrawal symptoms of nicotine have been exaggerated because nicotine has always been delivered in cigarettes with ingredients specifically selected to increase the uptake of nicotine and the other alkaloids acting as MAOI/anti-depressants. Age-old common knowledge is being challenged these days and most nicotine experts are gravitating towards nicotine not being as addictive outside of cigarettes. Not to say it isn't addictive at all - every stimulant performs as a psychological reward and has potential for addiction. Rewards can be that way.
The fact that plenty of (most? Everyone I know did anyway) ecig users get withdrawal symptoms despite plying themselves with nicotine should be a clue that something is being "missed" besides nicotine.
I certainly miss the relaxing effect of cigarettes which can apparently be partly gotten by vaping WTA juices [Whole Tobacco Alkaloids] but it's way too expensive and if the extra alkaloids are the missing link for that extra high and lead towards even half the cravings and subsequent satisfying reward, rinse, repeat... I'm not sure I'd want to try them. Mostly because that would lead to more expense. The addiction I wouldn't mind so much because I'll be vaping either way.

robbie02 · 14-02-2014 11:01am

back to the topic. i vape in my office, was unsure at first, but then i realize why should i treat this like a smoking habit because it is not. i do have respect for my work mates in that i dont exhale massive plumes of vapor and discreetly vape, stealth vaping i think it is called. no one has had a problem with me vaping and in fact some have come up to me asking advice of geting e cigs for their friends or family who are worried about their health. if someone complained to me about it i would have to stop, but i wouldnt be too happy about it, its only a bit of vapor at the end of the day and the ones that do complain about it are have the "people fear what they do not know syndrome". no one has complained here though and they would if they didnt like it hats for sure. and besides my company probably gets an extra hour a day productivity out of me from not going outside smoking.

Nuttzz · 14-02-2014 11:12am

tommy2bad wrote: »

Whats the rational for this? Curious why you would class it as smoking when you are aware that it isn't. Do you have a policy on perfume or eating at desks as well?

Ecigs contain nicotine and I've no idea what they are emitting in the vapour due to the unregulated nature of the products. Ive no doubt there are some excellent products that have safe emissions but I'm sure there as some that are just thrown together and who knows what is coming out with them.

We encourage people lunch away from their desks, I like to create a difference between work space and rest space, if someone is eating at their desk then a colleague is more likely to interrupt them with a work issue

No issue with perfume it doesnt have the potential to emit nicotine

working fool · 14-02-2014 11:35am

I had a guy travel with me a few days recently in the cab of the truck

He said it was perfectly harmless
By the second day I had a very sore throat and felt very unwell

grindle · 14-02-2014 12:17pm

Nuttzz wrote: »

Ecigs contain nicotine and I've no idea what they are emitting in the vapour due to the unregulated nature of the products. Ive no doubt there are some excellent products that have safe emissions but I'm sure there as some that are just thrown together and who knows what is coming out with them.

They're not unregulated. They're not medicinally regulated. Honestly, genuine chore every time this gets trotted out. They're currently covered by food safety standards. If the FSAI aren't doing their job to your standards you should question their practices, not the practices of eliquid manufacturers. They're supposed to be our "safeguard".
There's already been tests on emissions using named and no-name brands - all emissions were considered safe by health & safety workplace standards.
You can read a large number of studies about the composition of vapour nowadays, and the implication that companies might be filling their eliquid with some sort of dangerous bulking agent when the base ingredients are already cheap bulking agents & work safely seems like hysteria to me.
The Golden Age of the Daily Mail.

Nuttzz wrote: »

No issue with perfume it doesnt have the potential to emit nicotine

It took five hours for five vapers in a small room to match the amount of nicotine in an aubergine, and that was presuming the worst case scenario because the levels of nicotine were so low as to be undetectable.
Couple that with nicotine having the same safety and addiction profile as caffeine and your concerns about emissions look wobbly.

Just so you know for your own safety - plenty of perfumes contain "safe" levels of known carcinogens. Perfumes are also a well-known trigger for asthma. How can you take that risk!!!?

working fool wrote: »

I had a guy travel with me a few days recently in the cab of the truck

He said it was perfectly harmless
By the second day I had a very sore throat and felt very unwell

The second day of him using it? I'd lay a large amount of money on the likelihood being the chance occurrence of a sore throat/flu rather than the ecig. The former is much more likely.
You may have an allergy or intolerance to one of the chemicals in the ecig, which is a known issue for some... A sore throat/flu is still more likely than that.

Nuttzz · 14-02-2014 2:29pm

grindle wrote: »

Just so you know for your own safety - plenty of perfumes contain "safe" levels of known carcinogens. Perfumes are also a well-known trigger for asthma. How can you take that risk!!!?

I'm an asthmatic 40 years and perfumes have never given me a bit of bother I cannot say that for nicotine related products.

They're not unregulated. They're not medicinally regulated. Honestly, genuine chore every time this gets trotted out. They're currently covered by food safety standards. If the FSAI aren't doing their job to your standards you should question their practices, not the practices of eliquid manufacturers. They're supposed to be our "safeguard".

Not sure how the FSAI would vet the refills being sold on ebay etc

Im sure there are plenty of reputable vaping companies who can see the long term in their business, but just in the way there are counterfeit cigarettes it would be extremely naive to think there isnt counterfeit/poor quality eliquids being produced.

grindle · 14-02-2014 2:50pm

Nuttzz wrote: »

I'm an asthmatic 40 years and perfumes have never given me a bit of bother I cannot say that for nicotine related products.

So as long as some other asthma sufferer could be affected, but not you, that's grand. Okay.
Were these nicotine related products cigarettes? Asthma and smoke aren't great buddies.

Nuttzz wrote: »

Not sure how the FSAI would vet the refills being sold on ebay etc

Im sure there are plenty of reputable vaping companies who can see the long term in their business, but just in the way there are counterfeit cigarettes it would be extremely naive to think there isnt counterfeit/poor quality eliquids being produced.

There are indeed - they're called Dekang and Hangsen and they're all above board and made in high-spec facilities.
Besides making it yourself I can't see how anything remotely vapable could be made for a lower price to the consumer, so counterfeiting is pointless. What could they bulk it out with besides PG and VG that wouldn't affect either the taste or the device's performance?

tommy2bad · 14-02-2014 6:05pm

Nuttzz wrote: »

Ecigs contain nicotine and I've no idea what they are emitting in the vapour due to the unregulated nature of the products. Ive no doubt there are some excellent products that have safe emissions but I'm sure there as some that are just thrown together and who knows what is coming out with them.

We encourage people lunch away from their desks, I like to create a difference between work space and rest space, if someone is eating at their desk then a colleague is more likely to interrupt them with a work issue

No issue with perfume it doesnt have the potential to emit nicotine

Whats the problem with nicotine> you ingest nicotine everyday, in fact you cant without nicotine you will die.
Sorry to say regulations won't address any of your concerns, any regs we get will be about packaging, advertising and public use. Theirs no mention in the proposed TPD as to what limits or recommendation on contaminants. So as to 'we don't know what's in them' regs wont help. They are already regulated at to what's in them anyway, it the fudge of enforcement that's the problem.

I'll give you the point about work/rest separation but I really don't like the way you are saying that limiting someone is for their benefit. It' should be their choice.
Again perfumes don't emit nicotine? I would hope so but they do emit carcinogens. As dose plywood varnish airfreshners and believe it or not almost everything we breath in. The idea that their is some wondrous substance that isn't contaminated or produced in such a way as to not produce contamination as a byproduct of it use is nonsense.

You constant referencing nicotine is a non point as nicotine is unavoidable.

Nuttzz · 14-02-2014 8:23pm

tommy2bad wrote: »

They are already regulated at to what's in them anyway, it the fudge of enforcement that's the problem.

Any employer I asked (and I'm one myself) is unsure of the regulations surrounding them in the workplace. most thought they are like regular cigarettes and illegal.

Could we fall foul of the smoking ban? Probably not but why take the risk if an other employee complains? Last thing I need is a waste of time visit from the NOTC.

Even the name e-cigarettes does nothing to promote the idea that they are legal to have in the workplace.

grindle · 14-02-2014 8:45pm

Now... I don't mind the idea of employers not allowing vaping if you have to appear to be "professional" or if on a shop floor, but:

Nuttzz wrote: »

Could we fall foul of the smoking ban? Probably not but why take the risk if an other employee complains?

No you couldn't, and there is 100% zero risk of it, although an employee may complain. Such is futility.
Until there is legislation brought in about ecigs they're as legally ambiguous as an ice-cream, i.e. not at all ambiguous. They're allowed until someone inexplicably says they aren't.

tommy2bad · 15-02-2014 12:01pm

Nuttzz wrote: »

Any employer I asked (and I'm one myself) is unsure of the regulations surrounding them in the workplace. most thought they are like regular cigarettes and illegal.

Could we fall foul of the smoking ban? Probably not but why take the risk if an other employee complains? Last thing I need is a waste of time visit from the NOTC.

Even the name e-cigarettes does nothing to promote the idea that they are legal to have in the workplace.

Simple enquiry would answer this, email or phone call to the relevant authority. In fact I'll save you the trouble, http://www.sfa.ie/Sectors/SFA/SFA.nsf/vPages/Advice~HR_and_Employment_Law~electronic-cigarettes-in-the-workplace-25-02-2013?OpenDocument
Notice the fudge in the wording. The fact is that vapor is not smoke as defined in the legislation covering workplace smoking bans.
To avoid complaints from employees all you need to do is stick a fer posters up where the no smoking ones are stating the policy. Simples.
Whats needed is comunication, both from employers to empployies and from the departments to employers. You cant do everything but comunicating to your employies is so easy I cant understand why you don't do it instead of taking the easy rout and banning them. Peoples health is at stake, I'd hate to see you sued for forcing non smokers to stand in a designated smoking area!
Heres what ASH UK have to say.
http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_900.pdf

Saggyjocks · 15-02-2014 12:18pm

I always vape at my desk, I work in a fairly small office space. In my workplace smoke breaks were always frowned upon so I think when I switched to vaping my boss may have actually been a bit relieved! I get the odd comment from him in a jokey manner, he'll say you know some day they'll prove them things are worse then cigarettes and you know them things are going to be banned soon but I really dont think he means anything by it, I've asked him plenty of times does he mind and hes always said no. No one else I work with has ever said anything about the smell if I'm at a desk behind them the only time they'll notice is when they see a bit of a cloud and they seem to find it amusing. I do genuinely believe that if anyone I work with had a problem with it they wouldn't be one bit shy about saying it straight to me and if they did then of course I'd have to cut back and move outside or to another area to do it.

tommy2bad · 15-02-2014 12:31pm

Saggyjocks wrote: »

I always vape at my desk, I work in a fairly small office space. In my workplace smoke breaks were always frowned upon so I think when I switched to vaping my boss may have actually been a bit relieved! I get the odd comment from him in a jokey manner, he'll say you know some day they'll prove them things are worse then cigarettes and you know them things are going to be banned soon but I really dont think he means anything by it, I've asked him plenty of times does he mind and hes always said no. No one else I work with has ever said anything about the smell if I'm at a desk behind them the only time they'll notice is when they see a bit of a cloud and they seem to find it amusing. I do genuinely believe that if anyone I work with had a problem with it they wouldn't be one bit shy about saying it straight to me and if they did then of course I'd have to cut back and move outside or to another area to do it.

This is Ireland, one thing we don't do is 'straight'. We go behind backs and bitch about stuff to people who have no interest in whatever were bitching about.

Saggyjocks · 15-02-2014 1:05pm

tommy2bad wrote: »

This is Ireland, one thing we don't do is 'straight'. We go behind backs and bitch about stuff to people who have no interest in whatever were bitching about.

Fair point, I won't argue that they'd never bitch about it that's probably a bit naive but if they did have a problem I would hope they'd say it and I have asked them but then again that's all I can do really

working fool · 15-02-2014 1:18pm

grindle wrote: »

They're not unregulated. They're not medicinally regulated. Honestly, genuine chore every time this gets trotted out. They're currently covered by food safety standards. If the FSAI aren't doing their job to your standards you should question their practices, not the practices of eliquid manufacturers. They're supposed to be our "safeguard".
There's already been tests on emissions using named and no-name brands - all emissions were considered safe by health & safety workplace standards.
You can read a large number of studies about the composition of vapour nowadays, and the implication that companies might be filling their eliquid with some sort of dangerous bulking agent when the base ingredients are already cheap bulking agents & work safely seems like hysteria to me.
The Golden Age of the Daily Mail.

It took five hours for five vapers in a small room to match the amount of nicotine in an aubergine, and that was presuming the worst case scenario because the levels of nicotine were so low as to be undetectable.
Couple that with nicotine having the same safety and addiction profile as caffeine and your concerns about emissions look wobbly.

Just so you know for your own safety - plenty of perfumes contain "safe" levels of known carcinogens. Perfumes are also a well-known trigger for asthma. How can you take that risk!!!?

The second day of him using it? I'd lay a large amount of money on the likelihood being the chance occurrence of a sore throat/flu rather than the ecig. The former is much more likely.
You may have an allergy or intolerance to one of the chemicals in the ecig, which is a known issue for some... A sore throat/flu is still more likely than that.

Well I didn't feel that well after the first day
But by the second it was unbearable

Had to take the third day off
Couple of hours at home I was fine

And yes I do suffer from asthma
I never have had a reaction without being in contact with cigarettes and now e- cigarettes

daveyboynire · 16-02-2014 7:44pm

At work I vape in the toilet, I know if my boss new these things existed he would ban them, thats the type of hateful $hit he is so I just do it in the toilet not to give him the satisfaction.

Spanish Eyes · 16-02-2014 7:54pm

daveyboynire wrote: »

At work I vape in the toilet, I know if my boss new these things existed he would ban them, thats the type of hateful $hit he is so I just do it in the toilet not to give him the satisfaction.

And there I was thinking people only peed or ??? In the toilet. I have a lot to learn!

So there is a third thing? :eek:

grindle · 16-02-2014 8:07pm

It's even got it's own term - 'vooping'.

All the rage apparently.

Pique · 16-02-2014 8:18pm

Better than the noxious gasses normally in there!

MayoSalmon · 17-02-2014 10:33pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMdKguVbpfI

E-cig use / vaping in the workplace?

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