Vaping in the Workplace: Why a Consistent Policy Matters
Vaping in the Workplace: Why a Consistent Policy Matters
June 2025
As vaping has increased in popularity, many employers are now considering how best to manage its presence in the workplace. While traditional cigarette smoking is usually addressed by long-standing no-smoking policies and legal restrictions, e-cigarettes present a newer and more complex challenge. With the recent UK ban on disposable vapes that has come into force this June, now is the ideal time for businesses to revisit and update their smoking policies—ensuring vaping is handled with equal clarity and rigour.
The Case for a Consistent Policy
One of the most important steps a business can take is to apply a consistent approach to both smoking and vaping. Allowing vaping in areas where smoking is banned can cause confusion, resentment among staff, and difficulty enforcing the rules. Furthermore, without clear direction, employees may assume vaping indoors or in shared spaces is acceptable, potentially exposing others to second-hand vapour and undermining workplace harmony.
To support this, both smoking and e-cigarette policy templates can be found in the My H&S Documents section of the portal. These templates are designed to help employers quickly implement or revise policies that cover both behaviours fairly and effectively.
Health and Safety Risks Beyond Nicotine
Vaping is often seen as a healthier alternative to smoking—but it’s not without its own risks. In fact, e-cigarettes introduce new health and safety concerns that go beyond those posed by cigarettes or roll-ups.
A key concern is the fire risk associated with lithium-ion batteries used in vape pens. These batteries are known to be prone to overheating and combustion, particularly when:
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Stored improperly (e.g. loose in pockets or bags with keys or coins),
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Charged with incorrect or damaged cables,
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Stockpiled in high quantities without appropriate fire safety precautions.
In workplace settings where high foot traffic, machinery, or flammable materials are present, the risk of a fire caused by a malfunctioning vape device cannot be ignored. Employers have a duty to assess and manage these risks as part of their general health and safety obligations.
Environmental Considerations
Disposable and rechargeable vape devices also create significant environmental issues. Even though the UK has now banned single-use vapes, many products on the market still contain non-recyclable components such as plastics, metal coils, and lithium batteries. Improper disposal of these items can contribute to:
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Electronic waste and pollution,
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Soil and water contamination,
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Increased landfill pressure,
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Fire hazards in general waste streams.
Businesses can support environmental responsibility by:
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Providing dedicated bins for the recycling of vape-related components such as cartridges, coils, and batteries,
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Encouraging the use of reusable vape devices where appropriate,
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Include environmental messaging as part of internal wellbeing communications.
Supporting Health, Not Just Enforcing Rules
For employers looking to foster a positive and supportive workplace culture, banning or restricting vaping doesn’t have to be a punitive act. Instead, it’s an opportunity to support healthier habits and improve staff wellbeing overall.
Some practical steps include:
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Offering stop-smoking support through employee health programmes or HR schemes,
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Signposting employees to external services such as NHS Quit Smoking support or local cessation clinics,
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Creating separate designated outdoor areas for smoking and vaping, to avoid unnecessary exposure for non-users and reduce social triggers for those trying to quit.
Providing these measures shows that your business takes employee welfare seriously and recognises that vaping, like smoking, can involve addiction, social pressure, and mental health factors.