Smoking in a shop.

[jane2100]

I was in a greengrocer's shop and the salesperson was not wearing a mask and had been smoking an electronic cigarette and was having a coughing fit. People shouldn't be smoking if they're handling foodstuff and serving customers. This will spread the virus. What can be done?

It isn't smoking. There is NO smoke involved and it isn't illegal to smoke them inside
If you class then as smoking then people think well I may as well smoke
Or go to a stop smoking meeting because I'm smoking
People who use e cigarettes do not smoke, and many of them have quit smoking using them and reduced their risk of harm massively

https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2018/02/20/clearing-up-some-myths-around-e-cigarettes/

n summary, e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes are not the same and shouldn’t be treated as such. It’s important that England’s seven million smokers are aware of the differences and have accurate information to inform their health decisions. E-cigarettes aren’t completely risk free but carry a fraction of the risk of smoking and are helping thousands of smokers to quit and stay smokefree.

@jane2100

It might not be smoking to you. But to most people there's not much difference.

You know most people? No, nor do I. Or anyone. It's vaping, not smoking. Looks like all these covid regulations will be gone by the 19th. You're going to have to cope.

I'm really trying to get people to understand that electronic cigarettes emit a propylene glycol aerosol and that the coronavirus is transmitted by aerosols and I would like to be safe when I go into a shop. Thank you.

@jane2100

It might not be smoking to you. But to most people there's not much difference.

I'm no fan of vaping (the stuff smells horrible) but it's absolutely not the same as smoking to 'most people' because it's not smoking.

Do you really think that nobody ever coughs in shops you visit? Or sneezes, or talks loudly? Or absentmindedly touches their face before handling goods you're buying? If you're worried just avoid that shop and wash your hands regularly. Or don't go to shops at all, and get your groceries delivered.

@jane2100

I'm really trying to get people to understand that electronic cigarettes emit a propylene glycol aerosol and that the coronavirus is transmitted by aerosols and I would like to be safe when I go into a shop. Thank you.

Life isn't safe. You could trip in your home whilst moving in it, on the pavement, in the shop. All kinds of things could happen. It doesn't matter what you're trying to get people to understand, you can't do anything about this person doing this in his shop or with his boss's permission except not go there if it doesn't suit you.

If 'most people' didn't think there was a difference, no one would have bothered taking up vaping - all the vapers would've carried on smoking cigarettes, or taken their first step towards nicotine inhalation via 20 Marlboro Lights rather than a bottle of raspberry marshmallow vape oil.

They emit water vapour
Here you go
Government advice

There is little evidence of harm to the health of bystanders from breathing in secondhand e-cigarette vapour. There is currently no evidence of an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 from breathing in secondhand e-cigarette vapour

It's not breaking any rules, and in 7 days time they can do it anyway with no mask so.. shop elsewhere

@jane2100

I'm really trying to get people to understand that electronic cigarettes emit a propylene glycol aerosol and that the coronavirus is transmitted by aerosols and I would like to be safe when I go into a shop. Thank you.

Define 'safe'?

Lots of things we all do emit aerosols. If you're so concerned about them, nowhere is 'safe'.

@jane2100

I'm really trying to get people to understand that electronic cigarettes emit a propylene glycol aerosol and that the coronavirus is transmitted by aerosols and I would like to be safe when I go into a shop. Thank you.

Do you think you know something about vaping that PHE or the Government don't?

@jane2100

I'm really trying to get people to understand that electronic cigarettes emit a propylene glycol aerosol and that the coronavirus is transmitted by aerosols and I would like to be safe when I go into a shop. Thank you.

If you really want to change this person's behaviour, nothing will change unless you talk to them/shop. They may stop, or they may tell you to go shop elsewhere, but at least you tried. Nothing will change unless you do something.

I thought electronic cigarettes were different from vaping? I mean, you can get e-cigs that look like cigarettes, and they even light up at the end. Then you have these vaping things that are massive and look like walk-talkies.

@XenoBitch

I thought electronic cigarettes were different from vaping? I mean, you can get e-cigs that look like cigarettes, and they even light up at the end. Then you have these vaping things that are massive and look like walk-talkies.

They work the same way the bigger “box mod” types just offer greater customization of the experience and can emit more water vapor at once.

Have you read the government advice as posted by @NotMyCat up thread OP?
Looks like you're wrong so you can stop worrying on that score, which should be good news to you.
However, it sounds like the next few weeks are going to be a difficult time for you as restrictions ease. Have you been vaccinated yet?

OP, assuming there is home delivery from one of the grocery chains, yes you can shop elsewhere. I cannot see your local Environmental Health team acting, though you could try.

You are extremely uneducated on e cigarettes and vapes.
Shop somewhere else, that's the only way around it.

Correction. Most people I know.

@stellaisabella

You are extremely uneducated on e cigarettes and vapes. Shop somewhere else, that's the only way around it.

Thank you, maybe you can educate me.

Most electronic cigarettes are aerosol devices aren't they. OK you can call them vapour devices. But what about heat not burn devices. What do they emit? Not a a vapour I would guess.

I really think your obsession is a bit unhealthy. If you worry so much, remove yourself from the environment. You can't make other people stop in the environment they are allowed to do.

@roguetomato

I really think your obsession is a bit unhealthy. If you worry so much, remove yourself from the environment. You can't make other people stop in the environment they are allowed to do.

I'm not worrying. I just find it incomprehensible that no one else sees what to me is obvious which is:

The virus is transmitted by aerosol droplets. When you smoke an electronic cigarette you are exhaling a massive quantity of aerosol. If you are infected you will be spreading coronavirus.

Thanks OP for this information, I too will consider not publicly breathing in the future.

OP you do realise what’s happening on 19th July don’t you?

OP if this a genuine post I’m not sure you’re completely well.

I feel like I just stepped back in time to march 2020 reading your posts OP. Just don't shop there. If it's a chain store, complain.

@livingwithbees

Thanks OP for this information, I too will consider not publicly breathing in the future.

You mean you're still going to breathe in private? What if someone walks past your house as you exhale? The aerosols might go out of your window and into a granny's lungs! #covidiot

Op you need to get a grip!
No one should be vaping while at work but your reaction is ridiculous