Has anybody else noticed an increased use of e-cigarettes in and around their workplaces? They look very realistic and it is difficult to spot the difference at a distance. Since they don’t produce any smoke I suppose that they technically comply with the legislation. Personally I don’t like them as it can lead to confrontation when a person is challenged when they appear to have a real cigarette in their mouth. Has anyone considered making a workplace ruling on them, or is it just another short term fad that is best ignored? Thanks

One place that I advise in has banned them completely

Surely you can't ban them if they don't produce smoke fumes etc. If they help people to stop smoking then to prevent them from using these aids you would simple be aiding them in not giving up smoking. i guess you could make up your own company policy but not from any legal viewpoints in terms of the the ban on smoking in buildings. if it's not causing harm to others then surely you would be wrong in stopping them if others have difficulty in knowing the difference then surely that is their problem and not those trying to give up so long as everyone knows the rules and those that are caught smoking illegally are dealt with then there should be no issue. what next ban people for sucking on sweets or nibbling on pens tops. Phil

bob Quick question, Does your company have a smoking policy with the words or similar, "we will endeavour to help any person within the company wishing to stop smoking" If you do are you not in breach of this by banning a help aid.

Im with you on this one, do these people wake up in the morning and think what can we ban today????

As Bon Jovi said "You give safety a bad name". I Wouldn't stop anyone using e cigs at our place. I would encourage it if they were wanting to stop....... common sense please conker banners!!!!!!!!

Sorry first line supposed to read ' This topic in my opinion is a perfect examble why safety and health advisers get bad press.......'

Any company can ban anything they want to ban [providing the ban is not against the law] within their workplace. The ban refereed to is based on driving risk assessments and even nibbling on a pen top is banned when driving [Yep it is!] and management is very proactive in ensuring the rules are adhered to All staff know exactly where they stand and people have been disciplined in the past but nowerdays stick to the rules so discipline stats have also dropped and even when working there is nowhere to stop and have a smoke! since the ban came in the company have drastically reduced their reversing and driving into narrow opening etc incidents and their insurance fees so they can prove that the ban has helped as in the past drivers smoking whilst reversing etc caused a large amount of damage now they just concentrate on the driving not the thing in their mouth Its not my rule I am just reporting back