Advice From The British Government: Vaping In Public And In The Workplace

PHE published a 15-page paper titled "Use of e-cigarettes in public spaces and workplaces" on July 6th to help and assist businesses and organizations manage e-cigarettes and vaping on their premises and in public areas. PHE, a branch of the British Government's Department of Health, aims to clearly distinguish between vaping and smoking tobacco, and to clearly separate the two, as the government's black-and-white approach of slamming e-cigarettes with tobacco has failed to support those trying to quit and stay tobacco-free.

Tobacco policy manager at Cancer Research UK, George Butterworth, said:

“Because e-cigarettes are still a relatively new product, it's understandable that many individuals and businesses are unclear how to deal with them. So far, evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are significantly safer than tobacco and have the potential to assist people in quitting a fatal addiction. It's critical that the benefits of employing them are maximized while any negative effects are minimized, and businesses require independent assistance from Public Health England to develop their own policies.”

Public Health England (PHE) has developed a five-point guideline to aid in the development of workplace vaping policies, which addresses each situation:

• Differentiate Between Vaping And Smoking Very Clear

E-cigarettes carry a fraction of the risk of cigarettes, according to international peer-reviewed studies, and have the potential to significantly reduce smoking rates and enhance public health. E-cigarettes can serve to normalize smoking by reducing the number of smoking role models, reducing public smoking, and providing a role model for the rejection of smoking. As a result, policies should clearly differentiate between vaping and smoking.

• Verify That Policies Are Based On Evidence Of Bystander Health Concerns

Bystander health risks from e-cigarette vapor exposure are extremely low, according to international peer-reviewed studies. This is in contrast to solid evidence of harm from second - hand smoke, which is the foundation for UK smoke-free laws. The evidence of harm from secondhand vapor inhalation is insufficient to justify e-cigarette prohibition. Managers of public spaces and workplaces should make sure that this evidence is taken into account when making risk assessments.

• Identify And Manage The Risks Of Child And Adolescent Use

Young people should avoid using e-cigarettes. Laws on the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s and purchases by adults on behalf of under-18s, as well as advertising restrictions, are in force in the United Kingdom. E-cigarettes, on the other hand, can help limit children's and young people's exposure to secondhand smoke and smoking role models because adult smokers use them to quit smoking and stay smoke-free. It is acceptable to guard against potential adolescent uptake when formulating laws on e-cigarette use in child and youth settings, while balancing this with the need to establish a setting where it is easier for adults not to smoke.

• Encourage Smokers To Quit And Stay Smoke-Free

E-cigarettes are almost entirely used by smokers and ex-smokers in England, and they are presently the most popular quit smoking aid. To help smokers quit smoking and stay smoke-free, a more relevant and applicable to vaping may be necessary to make it a more appealing option than smoking. Vapers, in particular, should not be forced to share space with smokers, since this may jeopardize their capacity to stop smoking and stay smoke-free, especially among the most severely addicted.

• Encourage People To Follow Smoke-Free Laws And Policies

By emphasizing the difference between smoking and vaping, smoke-free requirements can be maintained and supported. Managers should clearly specify where vaping is authorized or forbidden, and make the policy known to everyone who will be affected by it.

Workplace Vaping Policy for

• Vapers

At all times, vapers should behave responsibly. This refers to:

1. Vapers should vape in a courteous manner, taking into account the concerns of colleagues and the general public.
2. Without the permission of the other current residents, vaping should not be done in restricted areas at the workplace.
3. Vapers should respect the views of colleagues who do not want vaping around them or who dislike specific vapour flavors with a heavier fragrance.
4. When exhaling vapour, vapers should be careful, such as avoiding huge clouds of vapour in the workplace or exhaling vapour straight at another person.
5. Vapers must keep all vaping equipment safely stored and out of reach of children under the age of 18.

• Employers

An employer agrees to allow vaping in the following areas in exchange for responsible vapers:

1. All outdoor spaces, including terraces, courtyards, and gardens.
2. With the reasonable permission of colleagues, all public activities, including restaurants, lounges, and cafeterias.
3. All offices and workspaces that are independently occupied.
4. Either in
5. specified indoor location or numerous places inside the workplace, which must be sufficiently accessible to a vaper's desk or working location; or
6. All other workplaces and workspace with the acceptable permission of other employees.
7. With the approval of other occupants and provided that no one under the age of 18 is present, in company vehicles.

Conclusion

Vaping in the workplace is a matter that needs to be addressed, primarily because it affects everyone in your company. It's time to include vaping language in your workplace tobacco policies—and consider whether or not to include a smoking cessation program that caters to e-cigarette users and even parents of vaping children.

If do you have any questions about vaping? Please let us know by sending an email to info@wizvape.co.uk.