Workers unclear on employers’ vaping policies: study

Tuscaloosa, AL – Many workers are unsure about their organizations' policies regarding e-cigarettes, according to a recent study from the University of Alabama.

Researchers surveyed 314 smokers and/or vapers about their employers’ policies and procedures regarding smoking, vaping and smoking cessation. They found that more than 12 percent of respondents were not aware of a vaping policy within their organizations.

Many respondents said their organizations had the same policy for both smoking and vaping. Those whose employers had separate policies for smoking and vaping reported that the smoking policy was more restrictive.

Employers and workers could benefit from future research into the most effective ways to implement and update smoking and vaping policies, researchers said, adding that the findings illustrate a need for employers to establish and communicate policies on vaping as they do for tobacco cigarette use. They recommended issuing separate policies on cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

“Organizations should not consider smoking and vaping to be the same when setting policy,” Xiaochuan Song, study lead author, said in a press release. “Employers should ensure organizational vaping policies are present and clear to all employees.”

The study was published in the April issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.