Shocked at colleague vaping in the office

[dazedandconfused2016]

Just that really. I think it's selfish, irresponsible and rude.

I work in several offices as I'm freelance, thankfully not very often at this particular workplace. I know that vaping is banned in another department of the same company so one would assume the ban applies throughout all departments.

Obviously the rest of the team are turning a blind eye to it. Perhaps because the individual concerned has a level of seniority.

I do not accept that vaping is "safe". Too little is known about it to say that definitively. In fact, some studies have indicated that there are health risks associated with vaping:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/vaping-with-nicotine-is-heart-risk-r5tfssgt7

www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/concerns-explode-over-new-health-risks-vaping

Of course, some might say that if I don't like it I could stop accepting work from that employer but I imagine that I will be confronted by the same problem at other workplaces.

[Rainybohoho]

YANBU. I would hate this.

I am all for people right to do as they choose, but I don’t want to breathe in sickly sweet water clouds that make me feel sick. (And yes, I know some produce bigger clouds than others, they arent all sweet etc etc.). In an enclosed space, just no.

[Wolfiefan]

Yuck. Bad enough standing next to someone doing it on the school run. Gross.

[Apileofballyhoo]

Saw somebody vaping in the supermarket today and I was taken aback tbh.

[MrsExpo]

Showing my ignorance here, but does vaping not count as smoking in terms of doing it in enclosed spaces such as shops, offices etc .... ?

I'd hate it and would definitely say something. The small alone makes me queasy. YANBU.

[Jaxhog]

Showing my ignorance here, but does vaping not count as smoking in terms of doing it in enclosed spaces such as shops, offices etc .... ?
I thought that too.

[DailyMailReadersAreThick]

Vaping stinks. It's antisocial, and shouldn't be done in enclosed places. YANBU.

[Jaxhog]

Yuck, apparently it IS legal. Another reason to be glad I work from home now.

[TheQueenOfWands]

Vaping is smoking.

Same rules apply.

And it smells worse, if that's possible.

[JonSnowsWife]

No it counts as smoking MrsExpo but there'll be plenty of people along in a minute to tell you it doesn't.

Our school has had to put no vaping signs up alongside the no smoking ones because the parents thought it didn't count also know of someone's DH who nearly caused a fight on public transport recently when someone very politely asked them not to blow their vapes in their face. (they'd started vaping on the bus - because again it doesn't count apparently).

They're not all sweet smelling. Some are bloody vile.

[Ylvamoon]

I hate the smell too! And some "flavours" actually trigger my migraine. So nothing healthy about viping at all.

[Badbadtromance]

That's horrible

[RebootYourEngine]

I would not be happy with this. Most places say no smoking and that includes e-cigarettes and vapes.

[JonSnowsWife]

Ylvamoon yep. A nutmeggy one set mine off and I love nutmeg! (especially sprinkled on rice pudding! ).

The one that set my asthma off was a cherry one. Walking nonchalantly to an appointment when the bloke in front blew out massive clouds of cherry smelling one. Think I'd have preferred to have stood behind someone having a cigar!

[coughingbean]

I vape, but never indoors and always away from people.
It just feels weird to do it indoors!

[Jaxhog]

I've just checked, and apparently, you can vape anywhere unless it's expressly forbidden as it isn't considered to be 'smoking'. Most food stores and airports ban vaping though. It does explain why I'm seeing so many signs telling people vaping isn't allowed. Watch out in bars and restaurants, as it may not be expressly forbidden. A horrible thought.

You might want to ask the firm you're working for to clarify the rules. They may not be aware of this.

[Rebeccaslicker]

YANBU. DP vapes and I bloody loathe it.

[annandale]

Had a colleague who used to vape just off the nurses' station on a hospital ward for a few weeks. A stroke ward. Shows why there have to be policies for every little thing, because people do anything.

[EggysMom]

My workplace has carefully issued an update to their policy so that it prohibits both smoking and vaping on site. I'd suggest you question this with your employer.

[dazedandconfused2016]

Here's another article about possible health risks of vaping:

www.mirror.co.uk/science/e-cig-cancer-alert-smokers-10004747

I'm trying to find out what the law says about vaping in public places but am not having much success!

[Butterymuffin]

Ask HR at that company what the policy is and if it's banned, request they have a word with the vaper. My workplace has banned it.

[Welshmaenad]

It's not smoking, it isn't subject to the same laws, which is why I can legally vape in the car with my kids in tow. Places can have their own rules on whether it's allowed though.

As a vaper I would never vape in the office, on public transport, or anywhere indoors without expressly being given permission, however. I'm aware some people don't like it. That said, the level of hysteria surrounding it is ridiculous, it's far less invasive than strong perfume or body odour, but 358 people will pop along to tell you it triggers a migraine or gives them an asthma attack or made their Granny have a stroke and die on the spot or something.

Incidentally, studies have shown there is no risk from passive vaping. It's basically as safe as someone's exhaled air.

[Rebeccaslicker]

I think not all vapes are created equal - there may be a difference between the e-cig types and the sort of black hand held ones that look a bit like a fire starter... or the difference might be in the fluids.

Either way I hate them all!

[Welshmaenad]

Oh, I tell a lie, I stealth vaped in my hospital room at night when I couldn't be arsed to get disconnected from my drip and go outside in the dark.

Nobody noticed.

[exLtEveDallas]

Vape juices are seriously regulated in the UK. They can only contain VG, PG, nicotine. None of which pose a passive risk.