Smoking e-cigarettes at work

Many people now claim that management allows them to smoke electronic cigarettes while they are at work. There are currently no laws forbidding this and what is acceptable is a gray area and varies between workplaces; some employers feel that as tobacco cigarettes are not allowed, then e-cigarettes should not be either; while other employers feel that e-cigs are different as they don't release any smoke into the environment and therefore pose less risk.

The issues involved with smoking in workplace

Years ago, smoking in the workplace was common practice, but that is definitely not the case these days. Currently, it is not acceptable to smoke tobacco cigarettes indoors and this includes all workplaces and public areas. Most employers view smoking as a liability and consider it a fire hazard as well as a potential health hazard.

Many employers are also well aware of all the money they lose from their employees taking excessive cigarette breaks throughout the day. As well as this, many of them are often off work more than most, due to illnesses made worse by smoking and again this means the employer loses more money covering their sick leave. Because of this, at a job interview if an employer had a choice between two candidates, many may well choose to hire a non-smoker over a smoker.

How electronic cigarettes could bring about change in the workplace

Those who don't smoke tend to be healthier and this means they are also more reliable and productive in their work. The good news for smokers is that there is now an alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes and that is e-cigarettes.

Employer's attitude to e-cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are being gradually accepted in many workplaces as a positive alternative to tobacco. However, there are still many employers who are sceptical and still include e-ciggies as part of the smoking ban. However, those employers that do allow e-cigarettes are well aware that they do help increase employee productivity.

What do employers need to be aware of?

Employers need to have an awareness of e-cigs before allowing them in their workplace. In particular they should be aware of the following points:

• Employers need to know what electronic cigarettes look like so they can ensure that they don't get confused with tobacco cigarettes as some look very similar

• Employers need to ask all employees how they feel about e-cigarettes being implemented into the workplace, to check they are all happy with any decision made

• Employers should make themselves aware on the laws regarding smoking in the workplace

E-cigarettes are gradually becoming more accepted in society and this includes the workplace. As well as this e-cigs do have a number of benefits for the employer as they do allow employees to be more productive, and they help to eliminate some of the risks associated with tobacco cigarettes. As time goes by and electronic cigarettes become more accepted, it is hoped that more employers will permit their staff to use them in the workplace.