No matter where you work, whether it’s in a bar, an office, a shop or on a site, vaping in the workplace posses some generalised challenges and similarities when facing the issue of, should I vape at work?It’s looking like (in the UK) we should all be returning back to our place of work in due course, so here are some key pieces of information and advice we think vapers should be aware of.
Why is it important to vape in the workplace?
For many people, being at work can have the potential to have numerous triggers for wanting a cigarette. A primary one of course being stress. This is significantly more relevant to routine and manual occupations, (for example, as labourers, bar staff, lorry drivers, receptionists or care workers). Who were 14.1% more likely to smoke than managerial and professional positions.
So ensure you have your vape and all it’s required supplies to ensure you are able to vape at work. However, ensure you are aware of any challenges you may face!
What are some challenges with smoking at work?
This is an important question to know the answer to, particularly if you are starting a new role with a new company as some rules can vary. E-cigarettes fall outside smoke-free legislation due to the fact a substance must be burnt. Consequentially, allowing their use is actually up to the employer. This opens the opportunity for either easier/stricter rules based on the employer.
Due to the slightly more niche social acceptance of vaping comparative to smoking, there’s a chance vaping may be less accepted. Alternatively due to it’s benefit in quitting smoking and its associated harmful effects, companies may actually encourage vaping and make efforts to improve the ease and convince for employees to vape.
5 top challenges for employees vaping at work:
Vaping may not be allowed
Other employees may not like vapour, maybe try something discrete? (E.g Pods)
Vaping may be restricted/allowed in certain places
Some employers may not have the same view on smoking breaks for vapers, making it more difficult
Rules can change
5 top tips for employers regarding vaping:
Consider allowing the convenient use of vapes toward a corporate initiative to aid quitting smoking, support your staff toward achieving this
Set out clear, fair rules for your employees to understand, don’t favour cigarettes over vapes (make the rules equal)
Layout clear designated area’s where this is allowed so it’s equally accessible but not ubiquitous
Clarify clear rules on vaping breaks (how long, how many, does work need to be covered?). Make it fair on them whilst prohibiting and excessive use which could affect operational efficiency
Discuss any potential changes in policy with the affected employees, union, or representative.
After working from home for a long period of time during Covid, this may seem alien to you as you make your own rules for working at home. So let’s consider the differences between the two work environments.
What are the difference between vaping when working at home and at work?
The most substantial difference is the fact you can choose when, where and how often to vape at home. Where as mentioned above, rules in the work place may affect these aspects.
Below are the key differences in vaping at work and at home:
Home
Work
Your rules
Their rules
Vape wherever you like (i.e on the sofa)
Designated smoking/vaping area’s
Vape whenever you like/as you work
Allocated breaks to vape
Blow vapour clouds as you please
Consider colleagues when blowing vapour
Potential to vape more
Limited availability to vape
Less distractions/interaction, could resort to cigarettes
Various help to stick to vaping/avoid smoking: Busier days, friendly and corporate support, meetings
Potentially less triggers and easier days, easier to maintain vaping routine
Stress, pier pressure and temptation could increase chance of smoking
There are some significant differences that will be evident when transitioning from home to your place of work, but will it be any different to when you were vaping there before?
Vaping at work: Differences Pre vs Post lockdown
Sharing vapes
Covid has made some significant changes to all of our lives, but lets take a look to see what if any effect it will have post lockdown. The primary change will be the sharing of vapes, particularly if you return back to work whilst there are still other restrictions in place. Following this pandemic avoiding sharing vapes will be recommended regardless, so the willingness of people to try out each others flavours may seem much more hesitant than before.
More/less people?
A further difference may be the number of people you vape with at work. It’s possible you may find many more employees have taken up vaping as they have had time isolated from the temptation of cigarettes so your breaks may be filled with new company. On the other hand the stresses of lockdown could’ve made your colleagues resort back to smoking, or people may have managed to stop vaping/smoking all together! Either way, you should find there are changes to your vaping group at work, particularly as for some it has been around a year.
Employers perspective
Finally, you may find employers have changed their views on vaping, as the pandemic has highlighted the need for good respiratory health. This could result in more ease and convenience for vapers in many forms, including; breaks, designated area’s, support in transitioning from smoking to vaping devices, and much more.
Summary
Think about how important it is to use to avoid smoking and continue vaping
Identify the increased risk of returning to smoking at work and consider how vaping could help
Make sure you understand vaping rules for your company
Speak to your employer about any issues you believe to be present when vaping at work
Prepare to adjust from vaping/working from home to back to your workplace
Should I vape at work?
No matter where you work, whether it’s in a bar, an office, a shop or on a site, vaping in the workplace posses some generalised challenges and similarities when facing the issue of, should I vape at work?It’s looking like (in the UK) we should all be returning back to our place of work in due course, so here are some key pieces of information and advice we think vapers should be aware of.
Why is it important to vape in the workplace?
For many people, being at work can have the potential to have numerous triggers for wanting a cigarette. A primary one of course being stress. This is significantly more relevant to routine and manual occupations, (for example, as labourers, bar staff, lorry drivers, receptionists or care workers). Who were 14.1% more likely to smoke than managerial and professional positions.
Triggers such as boredom, stress and particular colleagues amongst many others can make avoiding cigarettes all the more difficult in the work place. But having your vape is an effective way to avoid this and remain smoke free.
So ensure you have your vape and all it’s required supplies to ensure you are able to vape at work. However, ensure you are aware of any challenges you may face!
What are some challenges with smoking at work?
This is an important question to know the answer to, particularly if you are starting a new role with a new company as some rules can vary. E-cigarettes fall outside smoke-free legislation due to the fact a substance must be burnt. Consequentially, allowing their use is actually up to the employer. This opens the opportunity for either easier/stricter rules based on the employer.
Due to the slightly more niche social acceptance of vaping comparative to smoking, there’s a chance vaping may be less accepted. Alternatively due to it’s benefit in quitting smoking and its associated harmful effects, companies may actually encourage vaping and make efforts to improve the ease and convince for employees to vape.
5 top challenges for employees vaping at work:
5 top tips for employers regarding vaping:
After working from home for a long period of time during Covid, this may seem alien to you as you make your own rules for working at home. So let’s consider the differences between the two work environments.
What are the difference between vaping when working at home and at work?
The most substantial difference is the fact you can choose when, where and how often to vape at home. Where as mentioned above, rules in the work place may affect these aspects.
Below are the key differences in vaping at work and at home:
There are some significant differences that will be evident when transitioning from home to your place of work, but will it be any different to when you were vaping there before?
Vaping at work: Differences Pre vs Post lockdown
Sharing vapes
Covid has made some significant changes to all of our lives, but lets take a look to see what if any effect it will have post lockdown. The primary change will be the sharing of vapes, particularly if you return back to work whilst there are still other restrictions in place. Following this pandemic avoiding sharing vapes will be recommended regardless, so the willingness of people to try out each others flavours may seem much more hesitant than before.
More/less people?
A further difference may be the number of people you vape with at work. It’s possible you may find many more employees have taken up vaping as they have had time isolated from the temptation of cigarettes so your breaks may be filled with new company. On the other hand the stresses of lockdown could’ve made your colleagues resort back to smoking, or people may have managed to stop vaping/smoking all together! Either way, you should find there are changes to your vaping group at work, particularly as for some it has been around a year.
Employers perspective
Finally, you may find employers have changed their views on vaping, as the pandemic has highlighted the need for good respiratory health. This could result in more ease and convenience for vapers in many forms, including; breaks, designated area’s, support in transitioning from smoking to vaping devices, and much more.
Summary