Am I still a "smoker"??

[klutch14u]

Well in my case a chewer. I used to smoke, kicked it with chewing which was a VERY BAD idea. I did continue to smoke some, mostly that morning one (I can't chew first thing) and/or drinking. Nothing like a buzzed cigarette. But anyway I'd stopped chewing once and went back to just smoking. For me chewing is 100 times harder to quit than cigarettes.

Anyway, I started vaping about 6 weeks ago, haven't had a chew or a cigarette since then. Nicotine has always been my nemesis.

My question is though, am I still considered a "smoker" or tobacco user? I mean when I go to the doctor and fill out forms or he asks me or when I do my benefit stuff at work. Do I identify as a smoker for these purposes? Can I elect a tobacco free discount at work now? This all seems like a grey area to me now. Technically I'm NOT a tobacco user but a nicotine user. How's this all fit with the crazy world of smoker shame?

 

[Rizzyking]

My GP lists me as a non smoker now and so far I haven't found anyone who still considers me a smoker.

 

[wwdragon]

My doc said, once I hit 3 months of just vaping he will consider em a non smoker

 

[sincerelysasquatch]

I usually check the "non-smoker" box and make a notation of "e-cig" next to it and let them decide. One nurse decided to put me in the system as a pack-a-day smoker because I vape. I was a bit irritated, but nurses can be very ignorant. Some of my doctors have considered it just as dangerous as smoking, others think there isn't enough info to judge the safety, and others have considered it "probably less dangerous" than smoking. No doctor I have been to has been stoked about my vaping and they all seem to prefer if I would get off nicotine all together.

Then, to me vaping is just nicotine replacement, and I know people who have been using nicotine patches a year plus, and they are considered non-smokers.

 

[klutch14u]

I usually check the "non-smoker" box and make a notation of "e-cig" next to it and let them decide. One nurse decided to put me in the system as a pack-a-day smoker because I vape. I was a bit irritated, but nurses can be very ignorant. Some doctors have considered it just as dangerous as smoking, others think there isn't enough info to judge the safety, and others have considered it "probably less dangerous" than smoking. No doctor I have been to has been stoked about my vaping and they all seem to prefer if I would get off nicotine all together.

All good info. How about work benefits? I'm leery of saying "no" only to have them use it as a loophole on me in the event something happens to me and the insurance tries to deny benefits

 

[skoony]

The designation of being a smoker from a medical and or insurance point of
view varies from state to state,Doctor to Doctor and insurance company to
insurance company. some states mandate e-cigarette use as smoking for
official purposes. Some states leave it up the insurance companies. Some
states say you are not a smoker and can not be labeled as such for any
purpose.
Contact Your state then your insurance company. Your insurance company
should have their policy clearly spelled in the documentation you received from
them.
Regards
Mike

 

[Baditude]

I always checked the "non-smoker" box for work, also. However, most insurance companies still consider "electronic cigarettes" to still be "smoking".

 

[klutch14u]

Bad thing is the e-cigarette/vaping thing deliberately nuzzled up with smokers in an effort to gather an audience/customers. Now it seems to be a noose around the neck of vaping that I'm not sure it'll be able to shed now that it has some good traction. Especially with having such a massive mob of people that hate smoking so bad they'll stop at nothing to force others to quit

 

[edyle]

Well in my case a chewer. I used to smoke, kicked it with chewing which was a VERY BAD idea. I did continue to smoke some, mostly that morning one (I can't chew first thing) and/or drinking. Nothing like a buzzed cigarette. But anyway I'd stopped chewing once and went back to just smoking. For me chewing is 100 times harder to quit than cigarettes.

Anyway, I started vaping about 6 weeks ago, haven't had a chew or a cigarette since then. Nicotine has always been my nemesis.

My question is though, am I still considered a "smoker" or tobacco user? I mean when I go to the doctor and fill out forms or he asks me or when I do my benefit stuff at work. Do I identify as a smoker for these purposes? Can I elect a tobacco free discount at work now? This all seems like a grey area to me now. Technically I'm NOT a tobacco user but a nicotine user. How's this all fit with the crazy world of smoker shame?

You are in denial.
You have been careful to say that you chew, but avoid saying that you chew tobacco, then insist that you are "NOT a tobacco user but a nicotine user".

 

[JCinFLA]

The OP doesn't chew any more - "Anyway, I started vaping about 6 weeks ago, haven't had a chew or a cigarette since then."

 

[2naphish]

i haven't seen ANY insurance company that doesn't consider you a "smoker" if you vape. in fact a nurse told me if you go to the hospital/clinic with a work related injury part of your urine/blood test also indicates the presence of nicotine in your system and is cross referenced with your insurance from work along with drugs and alcohol. automatic termination if you are found to be in violation of company policy. leaving you without a job ,insurance and the bill from treatment for that injury.

the last year before i took early retirement i had to pay smokers rate even if i used 0mg liquid because the company cross referenced outside the building video security once a month against your insurance elections.

the moral is..just because you aren't paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't watching. hope this helps someone. GL

 

[crxess]

Indicator Definition | Disability and Health Data System (DHDS) | NCBDDD | CDC

Former Smoker - Nicotine user

Shell Games for Financial Gain

e-Cigarettes do not SMOKE .........................if working properly
There is no Secondhand SMOKE from an E-cigarette

 

[klutch14u]

i haven't seen ANY insurance company that doesn't consider you a "smoker" if you vape. in fact a nurse told me if you go to the hospital/clinic with a work related injury part of your urine/blood test also indicates the presence of nicotine in your system and is cross referenced with your insurance from work along with drugs and alcohol. automatic termination if you are found to be in violation of company policy. leaving you without a job ,insurance and the bill from treatment for that injury.

the last year before i took early retirement i had to pay smokers rate even if i used 0mg liquid because the company cross referenced outside the building video security once a month against your insurance elections.

the moral is..just because you aren't paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't watching. hope this helps someone. GL

Interesting stuff. It's very important information though as insurance will DEFINITELY use loopholes or exact guidelines to deny things. I know the benefits package for work specifically says "tobacco user" when filling it out online so if it came up I could probably LEGALLY argue my way to being right.

Guess just because you consider yourself "smoke" free you'd best be careful when dealing with insurance or work because you could end up being blindsided

 

[crxess]

in fact a nurse told me if you go to the hospital/clinic with a work related injury part of your urine/blood test also indicates the presence of nicotine in your system and is cross referenced with your insurance from work along with drugs and alcohol

This could possibly be in violation of law. Work related accidents(machinery) may call for Drug/alcohol testing - Per OSHA work place safety.
Personal injury may be Strictly Workers Comp and the company may have no specific right to information beyond circumstance.
Going on my Second year work related disability.
No drug testing
No Alcohol testing
Not a Smoker according to my insurer and they know both my wife and I Vape.
They have not set their Nicotine use policy in our region.

No doubt that will change once I have to apply for state Medical assistance.

* Fun Fact about the high Health cost of supporting smokers*

I Smoked until age 58 and never once cost my Health insurance or an Employer a single dime from a Smoking related anything related to my personal health.

As a Smoker - The Red Cross still Appreciated my Blood Donations.

 

[93gc40]

I am a smoker who no longer smokes. I know that's not PC around here... I haven't had a cigarette in a year after 35 years of smoking. But IMO until I kick the nic habit and the desire to inhale and exhale a cloud. I will still be a smoker. It is called a Electronic Cigarette after-all.

 

[K_Tech]

Well in my case a chewer. I used to smoke, kicked it with chewing which was a VERY BAD idea. I did continue to smoke some, mostly that morning one (I can't chew first thing) and/or drinking. Nothing like a buzzed cigarette. But anyway I'd stopped chewing once and went back to just smoking. For me chewing is 100 times harder to quit than cigarettes.

Anyway, I started vaping about 6 weeks ago, haven't had a chew or a cigarette since then. Nicotine has always been my nemesis.

My question is though, am I still considered a "smoker" or tobacco user?

I mean when I go to the doctor and fill out forms or he asks me or when I do my benefit stuff at work. Do I identify as a smoker for these purposes?

My doctor considers me a non-smoker, and that's how I fill out the questionnaire. He does know that I vape, and he's supportive, and it's not a part of my medical record.
My job does not segregate smokers from non-smokers for any insurance purposes, including our life insurance and short and long-term disability insurance. However, if your employer requires nicotine screening, you may very well be classified as a smoker if you test positive. It sucks, but I've heard of it happening.

Can I elect a tobacco free discount at work now?

Again, it all depends if they screen for nicotine. I will say that if they do not, I would have no moral objection to calling myself a non-smoker - because that's what I am!

This all seems like a grey area to me now. Technically I'm NOT a tobacco user but a nicotine user. How's this all fit with the crazy world of smoker shame?[/QUOTE]

It is pretty nuts, just be sure that you read all the fine print. Every policy is different.

 

[2naphish]

This could possibly be in violation of law. Work related accidents(machinery) may call for Drug/alcohol testing - Per OSHA work place safety.
Personal injury may be Strictly Workers Comp and the company may have no specific right to information beyond circumstance.
Going on my Second year work related disability.
No drug testing
No Alcohol testing
Not a Smoker according to my insurer and they know both my wife and I Vape.
They have not set their Nicotine use policy in our region.

No doubt that will change once I have to apply for state Medical assistance.

* Fun Fact about the high Health cost of supporting smokers*

I Smoked until age 58 and never once cost my Health insurance or an Employer a single dime from a Smoking related anything related to my personal health.

As a Smoker - The Red Cross still Appreciated my Blood Donations.

it wouldn't surprise me a bit if companies/insurance skate on thin ice when it comes to laws and policies. individuals affected would be unlikely to have the resources for redress .

i once paid off a fraudulent student loan (ex-wife) because the government didn't care if she received any benefit from the loan but the fact it was her SS# it was taken out with. my lawyer estimated 100K to save 20K and 10 years to finalize with a <5% chance of winning. in the mean time my credit was compromised and a home loan hung in the balance. 20 years later i still live in that house. i am also much more cautious of having my rear exposed for some entity to bite.
vape on.

 

[ReigntheGamer]

I always list myself as Former Smoker. Even though I don't smoke now complications from years of doing so may still arise and I want them to have that information from the word go.

 

[Stewart Jarvis-Grove]

I now consider myself a non-smoker and i haven't lit a cigarette since the day i started vaping. I tick non-smoker on everything i get asked to fill in, including doctors form and i've never been questioned about it.