Question :) is a vaper classed as a non-smoker??

[Elly]

Hiya all
Ever since i started vaping and quit smoking cigarettes altogether, I've classed myself as a non-smoker. I've informed my doctor about my quitting cigarettes and told him that i now vape to get nicotine but he didn't comment, he just took note.
I just wondered if it's still legally classed as smoking for a number of reasons really, like would he have changed my smoker status in my medical file? Also, when i fill in forms or if i ever wanted to take out life insurance etc.
Because I'm still addicted to nicotine and i have no intention of quitting nicotine, am i classed as a 'smoker' or not lol? It's probably a really simple answer but I'd still like to get peoples opinions.
Thanks, Elly

[padiho]

As far as I'm concerned I am now a non smoker. A smoker lights and inhales tobacco and emits smoke. We heat up fluid which turns to vapour. I have told my Doctor that I am a non smoker, on my insurance this year it it asked "do you smoke cigarettes." ..answer is obviously "no I don't " . Yes we are still taking in nicotine, but lots of things from everyday life contain nicotine eg. Tomatoes.
So welcome to the world of a non smoker

[yesitsme]

I think it is the opposite, I consider myself to be a smoker that doesn't stink. I perform the same action, more or less, as a smoker to get my fix. I also have no intention of giving up vaping but unfortunately governments have a different idea; they are losing hundreds of millions per month in lost revenue through just 1.5 million (approx) not buying cigarettes.

[nirk]

A smoker of cigarettes would be a "smoker" .... A vaper of electronic cigarettes would be a "vaper"

[Perpetua]

For me I'm an ex-smoker, who currently doesn't ignite tobacco to get my nicotine fix . . . ex-smoker is on my medical notes. Which I'm perfectly happy with, as a non smoker in my mind is someone who has never smoked.

I guess it's down to your personal interpretation of the words.

[Blownupdolly]

My GP has me officially noted as a non smoker. I didn't ask for it either. I only found out when I went to see the diabetic nurse who told me.

[markm]

There is no legal position, as no law has yet been formulated specific to electronic cigarettes.
So it would be reasonable to say that being a smoker is still specific to burning and
Inhaling tobacco. Anyone who wishes to apply a different policy will have the onus on them
To make people aware of their stance.

[lal]

Lots of insurance companies only consider you a non or ex smoker if you havent used nicotine products in the last year - so for them us vapers are still considered smokers. Medically I think we should be in the same category as people using nrt, so ex or non smoker. But there aren't any rules

[Roscopecotrain]

In view of our doctor and our ivf treatment we both did the carbondioxide test and we both actually blew lower than a non smoker lol. We were then classed as non smokers by our doctor and ivf consultant.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 2

[Roofer]

During a recent check up with my doctor I showed him what I use to vape, he duly changed my notes to a non smoker. I didn't ask him to change anything on the computer either.

[dagl]

I had a txt from the nhs a couple of weeks ago, asking me to ring my surgery to update my smoking status. I rang and they asked-"Did I smoke cigarettes?" I said "Nope I've been vaping since the end of last Aug" "Good for you! Thats a no!" was the reply

[Deleted]

Nowadays its not good to have 'smoker' on your employment record or med notes! I will always say no I don't smoke now. I don't wish to be treated like a leper. If they have their way gp's, hospitals etc will penalise you in some way in the future. They wont even operate on you in many cases if your a smoker. If your a smoker you will be a cash cow sooner or later. Or an excuse not to spend money on helping.

Do I smoke ?...No its a filthy habit!

[VapeKingMikes]

My partner works within in the NHS... For doctors medical records you will be classed as a non smoker once you give up cigarettes. For other records ie hospital health records it will state your a non smoker but you use other nicotine related products

[Clivia]

My dentist has changed my records to non smoker - he was really pleased and very interested in the forum

[tmg]

On the nhs assessments we use we class someone as a non-smoker after 3 months off the cigs whether they vape or not, though we record the use of ecigs just from a nicotine use perspective as of course it can still affect blood pressure and heart rate.