Vaping Impact On Work Productivity
- S J
- Dec 14, 2024
- 4 min read
The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or other vaping devices in the workplace has become far more common. Although you think of vaping as a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking, vaping does have implications for work productivity.
Key Insights: Vaping Impact on Work Productivity
Prevalence of Vaping in the Workplace
Many employees either vape during work hours or not at all. A Truth Initiative report showed that 76 percent of e-cigarette users vape at work. Vaping with this level of prevalence can’t be a private habit. It’s transpiring into the workplace, shaping work dynamics and productivity.
Health Risks and Absenteeism
The health risks associated with vaping in the workplace are among the prime concerns. Despite being advertised as safe for smoking, vaping is still unhealthy. Nicotine in E-cigarettes can be found to cause addiction and other health problems like respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases. According to the report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine(NASEM), e-cigarette aerosol can contain harmful chemicals and harm lung tissue.
Such health problems can cause higher absenteeism. However, employees who have issues from vaping are more likely to be on sick leave costing your company productivity—regular small breaks to vape add up over time, leaving less productive work hours.
Secondhand Aerosol Exposure
Vaping doesn’t just affect the user, it also affects those around you. There’s also a risk that people will be exposed to e-cigarette secondhand aerosol and the chemicals in it, can be specifically harmful, especially for people with pre-existing medical conditions — those with asthma or heart disease for example. Secondhand aerosol in the workplace disrupts the healthy environment, causing discomfort and exposure to hazardous health risks for non-vaping employees.
Secondhand aerosol exposure can lead to respiratory irritation and cardiovascular effects, according to a study published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research. This can lead to reduced overall morale and productivity in the workplace, particularly when employees don’t feel comfortable or safe in the workplace.
Distractions and Productivity Loss
Vaping in the workplace can be a major distraction. Vaping employees will break away from their desks frequently to use their devices, particularly if they can’t vape near their work area. These breaks can cause disruption to workflow and can affect not just the person taking the break, but their colleagues as well.
The EX Program conducted research that found that 63% of employees believe that vaping at work lowers productivity. Work tasks can be fragmented due to the need to take regular breaks, but this will make it more difficult for employees to focus and get through work. Also, vaping can be an interruption for employees who aren’t vaping, lowering productivity even more.
Impact on Workplace Culture and Perceptions
The presence of vaping in the workplace affects the nature of workplace culture and the perception of professionalism in the organization. Perhaps because vaping seems less formal than public smoking, it might devalue the professional environment. This can affect the way employees see their workplace and how they feel about work.
The normalization of vaping in the workplace will also prompt non-vapers to take up e-cigarettes. It also increases the risk of employees being drawn to vaping, compounding the problems associated with both exposures.
Regulatory and Legal Considerations
Workplace regulations that exist regarding vaping in the United States vary by state and municipality. Less than half of states currently have laws that prohibit e-cigarette use in workplaces. This lack of comprehensive regulations leaves many employers to leave it up to them to figure out how to deal with vaping among employees.
While e-cigarettes are not covered by specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations at this time, employers are responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. It also involves dealing with risks to your health from vaping. Workplace policies that restrict vaping can help reduce what a vaping ban can’t, its impact on productivity and employee health.
Support for Vape-Free Workplaces
Employees are increasingly looking to be in a vape-free workplace. The Truth Initiative found in a survey that 73.5 percent of employees supported e-cigarette-free venues. It includes non-vapers and vapers who know a vape-free environment is worth it.
A vape-free policy can make your workplace healthier and more productive. It can eliminate health risks, hinder distractions, and enhance the professional environment. Employers should inform staff why they have policies like that, and offer assistance to staff who need help quitting vaping.
Cessation Programs and Support
Even though there’s high support for vape-free workplaces, only 31% of workplaces have cessation programs in place. Receiving resources and help to give up vaping can go a long way to bringing the health and productivity of workplaces up.
Cessation programs could include counseling, support groups, and access to nicotine replacement therapy.
There is also an opportunity for employers to work with their healthcare providers and provide some comprehensive support for employees who want to stop vaping. By creating a culture of wellness and offering the appropriate facilities employers can assist employees in overcoming their addiction at work and create a more productive and healthy place to work.
Case Studies and Real-World Examples
Several companies in the USA have taken a vape-free workplace policy on board and have reaped the benefits. For instance, a major technology company located in Silicon Valley passed a far-reaching smoke-free and vape-free policy in all its offices. The company allows employees cessation support and educational resources. That meant they experienced a drop in vaping-driven health issues and a boost in overall productivity and employee satisfaction.
A second example is a manufacturing company in the Midwest that implemented a vape-free policy and a wellness program. The program included fitness facilities, health workshops, and support for quitting vaping. In fact, focusing on fitness resulted in higher productivity levels, as more employees engaged in activities that led to healthier employees and, with that, fewer absences.
Future Trends and Considerations
Future work patterns around vaping will change along with the changes in vaping itself. Vaping is a growing trend that employers need to stay aware of, what’s happening, what’s proven, and what to expect. Also, workplace policies must be adapted to suit new regulatory changes.
The trend of using cannabis vaping devices brings additional challenges for employers. However, these trends must be addressed proactively, guaranteeing that all types of vaping are included in workplace policies.
References
Russ Ware, December 6, 2024, Versed Vaper, Vaping and the FDA: An Updated Timeline
Tobacco Reporter, December 31, 2023, Looking Back at the Vaping Industry in 2023
Ex Program Enterprise, Vaping in the Workplace: A Bigger Issue Than You Think
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