re. copy of complaint to morrisons

[Deleted]

CEO's email addy is - [e-mail]


Went in just to get out the house and get a cup of coffee. Politely asked at the checkout if I could use my e-cig. Prompt reply was 'oh that's what girl's aloud use' and 'we had a circular about this a few weeks ago - company policy is no'

I'm like 'what? Just about every supermarket/petrol station sells extortionately priced disposable e-cigs and you're telling me I can't vape (use my e-cig) over a cup of coffee - even though they are not illegal to use indoors'...

I didn't use it and those weren't my exact words (I was far more polite) but my e-cig doesn't even look like a cigarette and has virtually no smell. I'm sure the griddle has more risk of setting off the fire alarm and it wasn't like the cafe was busy or crowded...

Please inform me when exactly this horrid, discriminatory policy came into place and what basis it is founded on...

I am an active member of allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com and have been happily using my e-cig for 18 months in a wide variety of public places. It aids my health and nicotine is no worse than caffeine.

I also have a disability that means I need nicotine on a relatively regular basis. I can't use my e-cig just outside your store as unlike cigarettes water and lithium batteries don't mix (and it rains a lot in scotland)

I look forward to hearing from you shortly

[lobeydosser]

Boot's sell Condoms but I don't think we are allowed to F*ck in the shop!

[genguskhan]

Mar 19, 2013 17:01:38 GMT lobeydosser said:

Boot's sell Condoms but I don't think we are allowed to F*ck in the shop!

Think I need a new monitor now, just spat out my coffee

[boo]

Mar 19, 2013 15:59:50 GMT @johanino said:

I also have a disability that means I need nicotine on a relatively regular basis.

While I sort of understand your frustration, I do think your email will be fruitless and their response will be a standard "its our policy, like it or lump it" kinda thing.

I am however curious what disability you have that means you need nicotine?

Good luck anyway

[beeman]

Mar 19, 2013 17:01:38 GMT lobeydosser said:

Boot's sell Condoms but I don't think we are allowed to F*ck in the shop!

Yes you can they just get a little upset if you knock over any displays I always get a good crowd clapping and cheering me on.
Now Tescos on the other hand get very upset and ask me to leave.Must try Morrisons next week while vaping

[Yorkshireman]

I am however curious what disability you have that means you need nicotine?

Me too

[beeman]

Mar 19, 2013 15:59:50 GMT @johanino said:

I also have a disability that means I need nicotine on a relatively regular basis. I can't use my e-cig just outside your store as unlike cigarettes water and lithium batteries don't mix (and it rains a lot in scotland)

I never knew you could get water proof cigarettes my Vamo copes better in the rain here in Scotland than my old fags.

Also if they get back to you and ask What disability do you have that means you need nicotine what are you going to tell them?

[lobeydosser]

On the more serious note about shops etc allowing us to vape or not, there are 62 million people in the UK and 10 million of them are smokers.
So there is only a 1 in 6 chance that there will be a smoker sitting on the Board of Directors who may know enough about E-cigs to give an intelligent input into any directive that they issue to their Staff Members when they decide whether to allow Vaping on their premises. 

With the Vaping Community still below the million mark, I am pleasantly surprised that we are actually allowed to Vape anywhere at all and I feel that the fact that we are is more down to ignorance on the part of managers than it is to an intelligently thought out decision.
They don't know what to class e-cigs as, so until the law says otherwise, they are not smoking related.

[Chrissie]

Mar 19, 2013 17:01:38 GMT lobeydosser said:

Boot's sell Condoms but I don't think we are allowed to F*ck in the shop!

That has got to be one of the best posts ever on the forum

[ausfost]

[Deleted]

my disability is mental health...the hidden one..

Hence NRT didn't work (like I only lasted less than 20 hours before it was like 'go back on the fags or go the psych ward....actually go back on the fags' and that was the GP

I started on really strong e-liquid (36mg/ml) and that with a combo of that and nasal spray (reduced the e-liquid on days I used a lot of nasal spray) that I got hooked on helped me get off the cigs

Happy Vaping!!!

Jane

[Anne (fuzzy)]

Mar 19, 2013 17:01:38 GMT lobeydosser said:

Boot's sell Condoms but I don't think we are allowed to F*ck in the shop!

Next time you go in to buy some lobey (that's if you do) ask the assistant if it's all right if you can use them in there.

[blackdog]

try before you buy sorta thing?

[Deleted]

I got a response

My problem there is that non of my e-cigarettes look like cigarettes...

In fact one looks like some sort of sonic screwdriver...and the other that I take out and about fits in my hand

So that is a very naive and ill informed policy at best and discriminatory at worst...

I feel like a right leper because I can't even use my non cig a like e-cig in the cafe!!!

I am ccing this to a reputable vendor of e-cigs called Lisa at cloud9vaping so if you need any more information please contact her

In the mean time I look forward to hearing that you've changed your policy to something more acceptable and customer friendly

Miss Jane
On 21 Mar 2013, at 14:20, Caroline Townsend <[e-mail]> wrote:

Good afternoon Miss Hancock

Thank you for your e-mail to Dalton Philips which I have been asked to respond to on his behalf.

I was sorry to learn of your disappointment that you were unable to use your e-cigarette in the customer cafe at one of our stores.

However, after speaking with my relevant colleagues I am able to confirm that it is our policy not to allow the use of e-cigarettes in our stores.

This is not because there are or are not any proven health effects arising from their use but rather that it is difficult for our colleagues as well as other customers to tell whether or not the devices are actually cigarettes especially when vapour is released during their use.

This can cause difficulties in our stores and petrol filling stations and, therefore, to prevent confusion for our colleagues and also prevent distress to other customers we have taken the decision to classify e-cigarettes in the same way as actual smoking materials.

We are currently looking to amend the no smoking signs already present by law in all our stores to make this policy clear.

I hope that I have been able to clarify the matter for you and that, despite your disappointment, you will continue to visit our customer cafe in the future.


Kind regards,
Caroline Townsend
Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

[andym]

I fail to see how even the most cerebrally challenged Morrisons employee can think that a ZMAX with a VN on isnt a bloody real ciggy!