Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi All, This is something that is new to me. One of my colleagues has raised concern over the use of E-Cigarettes in the workplace. Obviously we have a No-Smoking policy in line with legislation. I was going to pass it off as a non-hazardous activity, but I have had my attention drawn to the link below: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_cigaretteHas anyone come up against this, or has anyone researched it? Has anyone devised a policy for it? Regards K
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Ken
We have classed them as same or similar hazard and although the principle is to eventually wean someone off we have allocated one 'smoking shed' for 'e-smoking devices'.
Hope this helps..
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Rank: Super forum user
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Until the NHS have said that they are OK then treat them as a hazardous substance under COSHH, as I do e.g. If in doubt do something to stop the potentially hazardous substance being present
Note that all the sales stuff talks about the smoker and not what the person next to the smoker is suffering!!!! And there have been no scientific tests done that I know off that has looked at the residue both of the vapours and what is left when in the bin after they have been 'smoked'
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Not had anyone ask if they can 'e-light up' inside yet so will watch this thread for others responses.
I can add though that we have one person who is using one and at the moment goes and stands in the fag shelter at break times with the other smokers.
I assume sooner or later someone will test the water - I imagine that, in my current company, the MD will not allow it for company image reasons (we have lots of visitors) rather than lay it at my door. Even EVEN if it was deemed ok as far as H&S he would still ultimately say no as he absolutely detests all things smoking related.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Image is a very very big issue e.g. Take the situation of a teacher smoking [using] an e-cig in a class room or a receptionist using an e-cig in the reception area!!!!!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Have had this question asked here.
Not a big fan of wikipedia but have to say that the entry looks to be one of the better ones. One thing it did not mention is that some of the products available on the Internet do not always use the "safe" carrying solution. Going to be difficult to do a COSHH assessment as you might not know where your staff are getting these from and so will not a full chemical make up - Hazard data sheet available I doubt it. Fortunately as bob says our HR department took the decision the image was important and people could not smoke these at their desks.
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Rank: Super forum user
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We have a separate smoking shelter, so no one smokes around the factory site,
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Rank: Super forum user 
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It's not a work activity, so I don't see why you'd do a COSHH assessment. COSHH applies to hazardous substances used for work.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The only considerations are (a) is it legal and (b) is the organisation happy for it to happen in their premises. To which the answers are (a) yes and (b) there are several reasons they might not be, including image (as mentioned) and complications in enforcing the ban on real smoking.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Interesting that despite the lengthy list of references and all the detailed content of the Wiki article it fails to include (or at least I couldn't see it..) any mention of the MHRA consultation on nicotine containing products - including e-cigs. http://www.mhra.gov.uk/h...ublication/con111573.pdfI seem recall that (tobacco) cigarettes were once described as a nicotine delivery mechanism. The inference being - I believe - that once people were "hooked" onto nicotine then they would continue to buy cigarettes. Isn't it the tobacco aspect that casues the ill-health? Govts do not alwys proscribe and make illegal harmful products - think alcohol. A useful means of raising income via taxation! Phil
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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Eating too much salt is bad for your health - would you for that reason ban employees from bringing salt in to put on their lunch?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Kate wrote:The only considerations are (a) is it legal and (b) is the organisation happy for it to happen in their premises. To which the answers are (a) yes and (b) there are several reasons they might not be, including image (as mentioned) and complications in enforcing the ban on real smoking. Bang on IMO. As with actual smoking its quite clear - the company either provides the designated area, policy etc etc etc or does not. What is an undeniable fact by law though is it is not allowed inside. Currently there is no law (and probably never will be) making e-cigs as clear cut as actual cigs and I believe it will be down to owners of premises to make the decision locally inside/outside. Point being, as a smoker, I am very very clear on what I can and cannot do in the workplace. If I were an e-cig smoker looking for similar yes/no answers they currently do no exist by statute and will need to be by local arrangement.
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Rank: Super forum user
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It would be worth searching the forums as this has been discussed a number of times in the past with many different opinions being given
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Rank: Super forum user
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hopeful wrote:It would be worth searching the forums as this has been discussed a number of times in the past with many different opinions being given The IOSH Forum Search function has never worked for me, apologies if this has been done to death before.. Thanks to everyone who has posted on this subject, we have taken your comments on board and we are taking actions forward to treat this activity the same as smoking for the time being, until research says it is 100% safe for others in the workplace, and also for company image reasons. Many thanks
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