Vapers are now Smokers!

[lobeydosser]

I have just returned from my 6 monthly Diabetic Clinic check-up and all is A1 apart from the fact that the status on my records has been changed from Non-Smoker to Smoker because I Vape. This is a NHS Ruling.

This is despite the fact that a person using a nicotine inhaler is classed as a non-smoker even although that instrument contains more chemicals than an E-cig.

The reason given is that a nicotine inhaler is classed as a pharmaceutical device and the e-cig is not.

It looks like the NHS has still a long way to go in the education department.

However, I for one am not surprised by this turn of events.

[phtumshk]

Probably so the government can whack a load of tax on vape gear in the not to distant if they lump it in with tobacco products.
just a surmise.

[fagin]

I spent a while discussing vaping with the nurse whilst having my blood pressure checked. Right down to having a relaxing one before the test to chill out. She changed me from smoker to non smoker.
So go figure, maybe a more sensible, non jobsworth nurse.

[Q]

I had my 'old git' check up a few weeks ago, had a long chat to the nurse, explained that I'd given up smoking and now vaped, she congratulated me and changed my records to non-smoker

[Get Off My Cloud]

Aug 14, 2015 16:29:31 GMT lobeydosser said:

I have just returned from my 6 monthly Diabetic Clinic check-up and all is A1 apart from the fact that the status on my records has been changed from Non-Smoker to Smoker because I Vape. This is a NHS Ruling.

This is despite the fact that a person using a nicotine inhaler is classed as a non-smoker even although that instrument contains more chemicals than an E-cig.

The reason given is that a nicotine inhaler is classed as a pharmaceutical device and the e-cig is not.

It looks like the NHS has still a long way to go in the education department.

However, I for one am not surprised by this turn of events.

Starting with learning that smoke is a product of combustion and vapour is a product of evaporation.
One would hope a medical professional has a grasp on basic science but clearly not, then again shouldn't be surprised seeing as how the NHS spends taxpayers money on quackery like homeopathy which they readily admit has zero scientific evidence of it actually working.

[MrDJ]

us vapers who work for the nhs are still classed as smokers and we still have to go to the smoking shelter and breath in second hand smoke while we vape as the nhs classes them as the same thing.

[Deleted]

Leaving themselves wide open for litigation there with that practice! mind you nothing surprises me with the NHS these days, what you have to remember this stuff is coming from the beurocrats in the NHS the very people in the pockets of Big Pharma, and the Gov. not the folk on the front line like Dr's and nurses who do a fine job.

[lobeydosser]

3 years ago the same Diabetic Sister changed me from a Smoker to a non-smoker because I had started vaping.
Now she has changed me back to a smoker in accordance with NHS Policy.

'Sfunny how I can get classed as one thing or the other without me changing what I do.

[Deleted]

If that's what's happening you can bet your bottom dollar the TPD is going to be implemented here to the hilt, this is just laying the foundations imo.

[vereybowring]

Aug 14, 2015 18:14:12 GMT MrDJ said:

us vapers who work for the nhs are still classed as smokers and we still have to go to the smoking shelter and breath in second hand smoke while we vape as the nhs classes them as the same thing.

Of course they are going against HSE advice regarding vaping.
www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/smoking.htm
They, unsurprisingly, say you should not be exposed to second hand smoke either and the NHS should be taking this into consideration. I bet the HSE will have an official stance after the TPD is enacted but it may not be helpful.
Still if you want to argue its worth bringing to the attention of the NHS H&S officer at your location.

[MrDJ]

thanks for that vereybowring, me will have a read.

weve heard the smoking shelter will also be removed soon and we will have to go on the outskirts of the hospital to vape/smoke. seen in uniform even off site and there have been threat of written warnings and the same if staff are on their way home if they have any showing forms of nhs staff they can be warned.
so they expect all to remove any forms of id and change from scrubs or uniform just to go and stand on the main road all within 15 minute break.
takes me 5 minutes now just to get to the shelter.

[letsavit]

I wouldn't even mention vaping, you're non smoker, that's all they need to know, once marked as a smoker they will just kick you out the door for a broken toe and blame smoking.

[Chrissie]

As soon as I let my GP know I'd completely given up smoking, she changed my records to non smoker, even though I had explained I was using an e-cig.

[charliehorse]

This is quite a good statement from the link provided above I reckon.

"If an employer decides to 'prohibit' the use of e-cigarettes in the workplace but allow for ‘vaping’ breaks or provide areas where employees can use e-cigarettes, the employer needs to ensure that those who use e-cigarettes are not put at risk of harm from second-hand tobacco smoke."

[tim]

Aug 14, 2015 20:48:39 GMT charliehorse said:

This is quite a good statement from the link provided above I reckon.

"If an employer decides to 'prohibit' the use of e-cigarettes in the workplace but allow for ‘vaping’ breaks or provide areas where employees can use e-cigarettes, the employer needs to ensure that those who use e-cigarettes are not put at risk of harm from second-hand tobacco smoke."

This needs to be trumpeted!