e-cigarettes in the office?

[dave72]

We had a cover person up to our sub-office and was using one in the office and in the van too. I didn't want to say anything to them, incase it turned into a big row or they reported me for harassment

Are they allowed to be used in the office and vans?

[wabbithunta]

I should think it's still classified as smoking.
It'll be interesting to see what legal standpoint is on these now too.

[POSTMAN]

A lot of firms treat the E ones the same way they treat the real ones.

[thechemisyshop]

i had one last year -- its a big NO NO and the union were backing management on it as well

[Sir Henry]

A couple smoke them in our office, smells like someone is making candy floss in a tarts bedroom.

[POSTMAN]

E-cigarettes – is this the last gasp for smoking in the workplace?

http://wedlakebell.com/articles-and-com ... ce/#page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In 2013, the sale of e-cigarette's skyrocketed, overtaking nicotine patches for the first time. Surveys estimate that there are now over 1.3m e-cigarette users in the UK and due to concerns over the lack of regulation it has been announced that from 2016 e-cigarettes will be licensed as a medicine in the UK. Despite their increasing popularity, many employers do not have a clear policy which covers the use of e-cigarettes, otherwise known as 'vaping', on their premises.

The law

Smoking in enclosed or substantially enclosed workplaces has been banned in England since 2007 (under the Health Act 2006) and even earlier in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This ban includes manufactured and hand rolled cigarettes, pipes and cigars. In contrast, e-cigarettes are battery powered devices that vaporise a nicotine solution to replicate smoking without the use of tobacco. Whilst e-cigarettes do contain nicotine, they do not contain any lit tobacco and are therefore not technically covered by the UK's anti-smoking laws. This has sparked a debate amongst employers; it does not break the law but should the smoking of e-cigarettes in the workplace be allowed?

Health issues

E-cigarette are marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking, as they do not give off smoke or tobacco. Rather unhelpfully, there is no conclusive medical opinion on the safety of e-cigarettes to assist employers in making this decision. The British Medical Association ("BMA") is pushing for stronger controls due to concerns over the impact from being exposed to vapours. There is also the fear that the use of e-cigarettes will lead people 'ashtray' and renormalise the concept of smoking in the workplace. The BMA is pushing for the government to follow the lead of Australia, Canada and Denmark who have extended anti-smoking legislation to include e-cigarettes.

The fix

As e-cigarettes are not covered by anti-smoking legislation, it is up to employers whether they permit or prohibit their use and it simply comes down to what stance employers wish to take.

There are potential problems facing employers who permit the use of e-cigarettes within the workplace. The main concern is that from a health and safety perspective the jury is very much still out. The side effects of e-cigarettes are still unknown and it is unclear as to whether breathing in second-hand vapour could cause health issues. As such, any decision to permit their use may create issues amongst other employees, such as non-smokers and pregnant staff members who are concerned about being passively exposed to the vapour. Ex-smokers and those attempting to quit have raised concerns about the effect of seeing other employees vaping, as they find it difficult to be near any form of cigarette usage. If the effects of e-cigarette vapour are subsequently found to be harmful, then employers may be exposed to potential claims from employees harmed by exposure to the vapour.

Further concerns have been raised over the misunderstandings that can be caused by their use. The vapour produced does look like smoke and can give rise to confusion about whether and where smoking is allowed on company premises and whether an employer is complying with the anti-smoking legislation. In addition to this, an employee can claim to be using an e-cigarette rather than a real cigarette making breaches of non-smoking policies harder to enforce.

An employer's wish to maintain its professional image may dictate its position. There are certain industries, such as retail and leisure, where employers may not want clients and customers to see, what they perceive to be, staff smoking.

Other factors to note are the potential fire hazards as some devices are known to catch fire or even explode while charging. Also, some devices use USB ports to charge, which if used at work could be a breach of an employer's IT usage policy.

Despite the points raised above, those in support of e-cigarettes claim health concerns are just a smokescreen to justify prohibiting their use. In contrast, they point to the health benefits and the role e-cigarettes can play in assisting employees who are trying to quit smoking by allowing them to manage their nicotine cravings, whilst also enabling them to work more effectively. The added benefit to employers is that allowing vaping will eliminate the need for smoking breaks, thus increasing the amount of time employees spend at their desks.

Practical steps

Whatever stance employers decide to take, we recommend taking the following steps:

If you do not have a no-smoking policy, then ensure that you introduce one and include details of your approach to e-cigarette usage;
If you have an existing policy, then ensure that it is amended/updated to deal with your approach to e-cigarette usage;
Set out clearly that any failure to comply with your no-smoking policy may result in disciplinary action; and
Consider updating your IT Usage and Health and Safety policies to cover the use of e-cigarettes.

If you do decide to ban e-cigarettes then consider:

Providing e-cigarette users, who are effectively non-smokers, with an outdoor space separate from that used by smokers;
Updating your no-smoking signage to include reference to e-cigarettes; and
Whether you will permit the temporary use of e-cigarettes, in certain circumstances, as part of an employee's programme to quit smoking.
If you decide to allow e-cigarettes usage at work, then consider:

Implementing certain restrictions, such as, no e-cigarettes which create large or fragrant vapour clouds that could irritate other employees;
Restricting usage to non-client and/or non-customer areas only; and
Expressly banning e-cigarette usage in company vehicles or on customer premises.
In any event, it is worth taking steps to make support information available to employees who wish to quit smoking or cut down on the amount they smoke.

[saddlerposty]

A couple smoke them in our office, smells like someone is making candy floss in a tarts bedroom.

been there done that got the t shirt.

[craig uk]

We had a cover person up to our sub-office and was using one in the office and in the van too. I didn't want to say anything to them, incase it turned into a big row or they reported me for harassment

Are they allowed to be used in the office and vans?

at our officew they stand outside the main doors so all smoke comes in anyway its horrible,also many smokers also smoke in vans and it stinks vans out.
mentioned it to boss a couple of times and as usual nothing gets done.
As long as the mail isnt in the office and people have taken it out they dont give a s**t at our place,its jut there bonus.

[wacko74]

I was working with someone from another office who kept firing one up in the van, as others have said I also couldn't be arsed making an issue out of it as he seemed an ok chap otherwise.

Their smell is vile, much more potent than the smell of normal cig smoke

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.scribd.com/doc/211914533/Roy ... tes#scribd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request Our Reference: MTEE-9BGEVT)
I am writing in response to your recent request for information dated 11th September 2013. Your request has been considered under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. You requested the following:

“1) Do you have a stated policy on the use of electronic cigarettes by your staff?

2) If so, please clarify between indoors and outdoors use.

3) Do you have any policies about electronic cigarette accessories being sent through the post?”

I can confirm that Royal Mail Group does have a Smoking Guide which sets out the standards expected from individuals and smoking at work as requested in point one. The Guide explains that individuals who wish to smoke whilst at work must do so in the designated smoking area which must be outside buildings and other enclosed places. In relation to e-cigarettes the guide states; “Royal Mail Group does not allow the use of electronic cigarettes in any Royal Mail Group building or vehicle.”

In regards to point three of your request; Royal Mail does not have a policy specifically relating to customers wishing to send electronic cigarettes/accessories. There are some items which Royal Mail are unable to carry for legal or health and safety reasons and a comprehensive list is available on our website http://www.royalmail.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. The published list provides detailed information about the things you cannot post as well as highlighting the areas where there may be exceptions. A direct link has been provided for your reference http://www.royalmail.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Different rules apply to businesses and individual consumers as well as to domestic and international mail therefore please refer to the relevant sections. We would urge customers with any queries or concerns regarding sending items through the post to contact Royal Mail Customer Services on 08457 740 740 for advice and assistance.

I hope the information provided is useful to you. If for any reason you are not satisfied with this response, you do have the right to request a review. If you wish to do so please set out your reasons in writing and send to the Head of Information Rights at the address above. An internal panel will then review the request, and you will be advised of the outcome. If, having requested an internal review, you are still not satisfied with our response you also have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at: Information Commissioner’s Office Wycliffe House Water Lane WILMSLOW SK9 5AF Telephone: 01625 545 700 http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Yours sincerely Marie Teasdale Information Rights Officer

[TrueBlueTerrier]

We had a cover person up to our sub-office and was using one in the office and in the van too. I didn't want to say anything to them, incase it turned into a big row or they reported me for harassment

Are they allowed to be used in the office and vans?

at our officew they stand outside the main doors so all smoke comes in anyway its horrible,also many smokers also smoke in vans and it stinks vans out.
mentioned it to boss a couple of times and as usual nothing gets done.
As long as the mail isnt in the office and people have taken it out they dont give a s**t at our place,its jut there bonus.

Its illegal to smoke in work vans, the smoker and the Manager (if he does not enforce the law) can be fined:

https://www.gov.uk/smoking-at-work-the-law" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Smoking isn’t allowed in any enclosed workplace, public building or on public transport in the UK.
Penalty for smoking in the workplace
Workers can be fined up to £200, or up to £50 in Scotland.

The law doesn’t apply to e-cigarettes. Employers can decide if they can be used on their premises.

What businesses must do
Businesses must:

display ‘no smoking’ signs in all workplaces and vehicles - no smoking signs in Wales must in both Welsh and English
make sure people don’t smoke in enclosed work premises or shared vehicles
Staff smoking rooms aren’t allowed - smokers must go outside.

Fines and penalties

Businesses can be fined up to £2,500 if they don’t stop people smoking in the workplace or up to £1,000 if they don’t display ‘no smoking’ signs.

In Scotland, there is a fixed penalty fine of £200, which can go up to £2,500 if the fine isn’t paid.

Smoking in work vehicles
Smoking isn’t allowed in any work vehicle that more than 1 person uses, eg:

taxis
buses
vans
goods vehicles used by more than 1 driver
company cars used by more than 1 employee
A worker can smoke in a company car that only they use if their employer agrees.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/em ... eland.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Offences
Any person found guilty of breaching the ban on smoking in the workplace may be subject to a fine of up to €3,000. The owner, manager or person in charge of the workplace is legally responsible for ensuring that the ban on smoking in the workplace is complied with.

If a person is concerned about an individual or public place / workplace not adhering to the laws surrounding a smoke free England you may call 0800 587 1667. http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[POSTMAN]

In relation to e-cigarettes the guide states; “Royal Mail Group does not allow the use of electronic cigarettes in any Royal Mail Group building or vehicle.”

Have we got the guide,is it even in the guide/policy.
I can't find it.

[wabbithunta]

I had a hunt around on the net but could only find this online. From someone with the same question to RM last year.
( I tried to download it but I couldn't. You've got to subscribe.. aka pay, and trying to do a screengrab is a right pain too)

https://www.scribd.com/doc/211914533/Ro ... Cigarettes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


4th October 2013

Information Rights Team (Freedom of Information Act)
2nd Floor Royal Mail
Sheffield
Pond Street
SHEFFIELD
S98 6HR
0114 241 4215
foi@royalmail.com http://www.royalmail.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dear Mr ************

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request Our Reference: MTEE-9BGEVT)

I am writing in response to your recent request for information dated 11th September 2013. Your request has been considered under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. You requested the following:

“1) Do you have a stated policy on the use of electronic cigarettes by your staff?
2) If so, please clarify between indoors and outdoors use.
3) Do you have any policies about electronic cigarette accessories being sent through the post?”

I can confirm that Royal Mail Group does have a Smoking Guide which sets out the standards expected from individuals and smoking at work as requested in point one. The Guide explains that individuals who wish to smoke whilst at work must do so in the designated smoking area which must be outside buildings and other enclosed places. In relation to e-cigarettes the guide states; “Royal Mail Group does not allow the use of electronic cigarettes in any Royal Mail Group building or vehicle.”

There is more but it's to do with posting etc.