Career acceptable smoking?

[basylica]

I was thinking about this on my drive into work today. I'm lucky I guess....I'm in IT so it's acceptable to smoke since several of us do, altho the percentage is going down (and i'm one of em!)
I know food service tends to be littered with smokers, tattooists, and used to be every hospital had a clutch of smoking docs and nurses outside at all times....but last few trips to hospital with my kids (ok, only trips) it was like you had to goto the next town over so I can only imagine staff are discouraged...

I have to fathom that teachers and daycare staff and generally anyone working with kids is REALLY strongly discouraged to smoke.

I'm just curious how your profession views smoking and if thats different with vaping?

For me - I'm in IT and smoking is pretty acceptable and vaping is fine too....but I highly doubt i'd be able to vape around equipment of course since you can't have food or bevs or anything in the datacenter (sometimes you can't bring phones in)

 

[Statistic]

I'm in IT also but my department is in a larger building, the worldwide HQ for the company. Many people where I work do smoke. About two years ago the company banned the use of any form of tobacco on company property, and forbid anyone from leaving the property on breaks aside from your mid shift lunch hour.

Now it is common to see groups of people standing at the periphery, one foot on property, one foot off, smoking away. I think there's just too many of them to enforce it to the letter.

They did ban e-cigs too but I don't care. I frequently vape inside the building but I do exercise discretion. If I'm gonna be doing it near anyone I always ask if they mind, they are my IT brethren and mostly smokers anyways. Not only has no-one ever objected most of them really enjoy the aromas

I know I'm walking a thin line but the company I work for is great. They would never fire me even if I got caught red handed, they'd just tell me to stop. I do think including e-cigs in the policy was a "fairness" decision, to the tobacco users.

 

[Orobas]

I was a bus driver for years (back in school now) and it was more or less expected and normal. Even driving a school bus. But with the wages they make compared to the crap they put up with you can't even get mad.

I'm studying to be a biologist and I have no idea what the expectations for that field are, yet, but probably negative if only for the sake of not further polluting the environment with butts.

 

[Whosback]

I work in retail and most stores make smoker hide out of sight if they let you smoke at all. Lots of places make smokers go to their cars or off the property. They fear someone will see the staff smoking and be offended and no shop with us (I say with the thousands of reasonable people that pass through most big box doors every day who needs um). It can be really bad for people who use public transit and don't have a car to sit in.

Luckily there is always a smoker in management or former smoker like me who bends the rules and does not make smokers walk 10 minutes or stand in the rain with no cover to smoke.

It's sad that official policy treats smokers like they have a swastika tattoo on their forehead.

 

[basylica]

I'm in IT also but my department is in a larger building, the worldwide HQ for the company. Many people where I work do smoke. About two years ago the company banned the use of any form of tobacco on company property, and forbid anyone from leaving the property on breaks aside from your mid shift lunch hour.

Now it is common to see groups of people standing at the periphery, one foot on property, one foot off, smoking away. I think there's just too many of them to enforce it to the letter.

They did ban e-cigs too but I don't care. I frequently vape inside the building but I do exercise discretion. If I'm gonna be doing it near anyone I always ask if they mind, they are my IT brethren and mostly smokers anyways. Not only has no-one ever objected most of them really enjoy the aromas

I know I'm walking a thin line but the company I work for is great. They would never fire me even if I got caught red handed, they'd just tell me to stop. I do think including e-cigs in the policy was a "fairness" decision, to the tobacco users.

You don't work for dell do you? I went to training at dell in roundrock and I had to walk from the one building past huge parking lot and basically stand one foot in the street. the worst part of that was the ground was LITTERED with nasty butts. if they had put a designated smoking area somewhere atleast it would be cleaner!

 

[basylica]

It's sad that official policy treats smokers like they have a swastika tattoo on their forehead.

Its totally true. worse when you have kids because I might have one eye on the kids and meander as far as possible from a playground to smoke and still feel like I have laser judgey eyes on me. Just stresses you to the point where the smoke made things WORSE...

also, LOVE the big pointy teeth. I nearly soiled my armor!

 

[Statistic]

Nope, not Dell. I work for the third largest pizza chain on earth... PAPA JOHN'S!!

We had a designated smoking area but there were always people using it. It's a very laid back atmosphere, easy to get into the habit of taking a 5 minute smoke break every hour. They instituted the ban to encourage a more professional atmosphere (we have frequent visits from big shot investors) and the company is very health-and-well-being oriented, they want their people to be happy and healthy (and pay less for their healthcare)

 

[basylica]

Nope, not Dell. I work for the third largest pizza chain on earth... PAPA JOHN'S!!

really? wow....I'd think they would be more accepting as a company. My mom used to deliver dominos between husbands (thats a whole nother topic for therapy) and she would chain smoke in her car while delivering pizzas...often with my baby brother riding in the back. Sometimes she'd pick us up and i'd have to sit in the front and hold the bag while she did several more runs. That was torture.

I have to imagine even with swastika branding that delivery guys probably still smoke quite a bit...

 

[Statistic]

Yep, it's forbidden from the restaurants also, the corporate owned ones anyway. There is also a policy that drivers are not to smoke in their cars on the way to a delivery, once they head back to the store it's ok though (I'm not 100% sure if that's official or just a"reasonable compromise" for the smokers). The restaurant level policies are left to be enforced by the operators and are often taken as suggestions rather than absolute policy. It's all about fostering a positive perception of us as a company, they don't want customers bombarded by a cigarette smoke smell at their door and don't want our customers dinner to smell like cigarette smoke either.

Even when I was smoking I thought the ban was a great idea. It really is all about creating a healthier and more positive working environment and consumer perception.

 

[Whosback]

Its totally true. worse when you have kids because I might have one eye on the kids and meander as far as possible from a playground to smoke and still feel like I have laser judgey eyes on me. Just stresses you to the point where the smoke made things WORSE...

also, LOVE the big pointy teeth. I nearly soiled my armor!

Thank you. Just hope you don't have a holy hand grenade on you

 

[stillnotsmoking]

I assure you there is NO shortage of smokers in the food service industry. The restaurant industry seems to be one of those that if you don't smoke, you don't get a break. Sure, my boss vapes and I'm allowed to vape in the kitchen out of view of customers, but it's still nice after serving 200+ dinners to go outside, sit down, and have a "smoke".

 

[basylica]

Thank you. Just hope you don't have a holy hand grenade on you

O LORD, bless this Thy hand grenade that with it Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits, in Thy mercy...

man...thats crazy. you think back and in the 50s and 60s people smoked in elevators, in trains, in planes, in doctors offices, in grocery stores...
it was considered RUDE not to have a box of cigs and an ashtray to offer guests visiting your home even if you yourself didn't smoke....then in the 70s and 80s it was considered rude to ask someone to step outside your home to smoke...
I still remember smokers being in a huff about being asked to smoke downwind because "blah blah...so delicate...smoke OFFENDS me..." hahaha...

now its considered rude to even smell of smoke around anybody. Can you IMAGINE the chaos that would ensue if you were standing around a grocery store and lit up a smoke? *shakes head*

 

[Whosback]

O LORD, bless this Thy hand grenade that with it Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits, in Thy mercy...

man...thats crazy. you think back and in the 50s and 60s people smoked in elevators, in trains, in planes, in doctors offices, in grocery stores...
it was considered RUDE not to have a box of cigs and an ashtray to offer guests visiting your home even if you yourself didn't smoke....then in the 70s and 80s it was considered rude to ask someone to step outside your home to smoke...
I still remember smokers being in a huff about being asked to smoke downwind because "blah blah...so delicate...smoke OFFENDS me..." hahaha...

now its considered rude to even smell of smoke around anybody. Can you IMAGINE the chaos that would ensue if you were standing around a grocery store and lit up a smoke? *shakes head*

I remember it was about 12 years ago now I was staff at a hotel as a banquet server. The guest holding the banquet actually demanded that the staff not be allowed to smoke for 24 hours before the event. Sadly my boss was a nut less wonder and agreed. Luckily the little twerp was not there so we just aired out before we went back into the room.

 

[SissySpike]

Construction is still wide open for smokers for the most part. I have built a few schools that said no smoking even during the building stages. But its more of a good idea nobody follows the rule. Im a Iron worker so nothing is finished when Im there.

 

[LB609]

I work in a forge shop and they used to allow smoking inside the building but about 2 years ago someone complained so we had to start smoking outside. The first time I brought my volt v2 I think every foreman there tried to write me up but once I explained what it was they said it was ok with them as long as I don't use it while they have customers walking though which isn't very often and I'm usually gone by then since I'm on midnights.

 

[basylica]

I started with my current company and I was actually surprised there was an actual smoking area with nice tables and everything. LOL...all the other places i've worked its behind the dumpsters and somewhere in ethiopia.
One of our branch offices is union and somehow they still have an indoor smoking room. WHA???
I didn't know last time I was there, and i've started vaping since then so I just did it wherever since i'm there on weekends anyway. I did go outside to get some fresh air but it was very nice outside anyway.

I did vape in my hotel room that weekend and made me wish i'd been vaping when I still worked for my last job. it was for a hotel chain and I was traveling a week out of every month there for awhile....woulda been AWESOME to be able to eat, shower, and vape without going outside and freezing and nowhere to sit. doh!

 

[KY_Rob]

I work in a state that still somewhat protects tobacco users...Kentucky!

It's currently against the law to be discriminated against because of the personal use of tobacco products.

The company I work for does have an indoor smoking ban, which I think is good anyway. They are really very accommodating to smokers, as long as its discreet and it isn't abused. We're also diligent about self-policing, and the folks here are really pretty good about it. The smokers "get it".

I've so far been able to convert several colleagues to vaping, and I do (also discreetly) vape at my desk from time to time. One thing I did, was informed my cube-mates about what it was I'm doing, and they've all been very supportive.

I do go out to the "back porch" to vape a couple of times a day as a means to walk away and think, or just chit chat.

We're all a really good example of how working together and being team focused keeps the peace and prevents the need for all encompassing rules and regulations from management.

Now if we could just get the gov't to leave is be....

 

[cthulhufan]

O LORD, bless this Thy hand grenade that with it Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits, in Thy mercy...

man...thats crazy. you think back and in the 50s and 60s people smoked in elevators, in trains, in planes, in doctors offices, in grocery stores...
it was considered RUDE not to have a box of cigs and an ashtray to offer guests visiting your home even if you yourself didn't smoke....then in the 70s and 80s it was considered rude to ask someone to step outside your home to smoke...
I still remember smokers being in a huff about being asked to smoke downwind because "blah blah...so delicate...smoke OFFENDS me..." hahaha...

now its considered rude to even smell of smoke around anybody. Can you IMAGINE the chaos that would ensue if you were standing around a grocery store and lit up a smoke? *shakes head*

IT also, BTW, same experience as you mostly. Been vaping exclusively and smoke free since Feb2013 and everyone here is totally cool with it after the initial batch of curiosity as I'm sure you got too.

Anyway, that bit above really grabbed me. The wife and I are watching old shows on Netflix and, yeah, the 50's and 60's. Wow. They'll show a DOCTOR smoking during a patient consultation and even offering the patient a smoke! Yeah...

 

[Tiffany Smeggin Peak]

i work in a factory, when i first started with a stick battery they freaked when i asked, said that too many people would get confuzed and they didn't want to police it... sigh
either way now i use an mvp, when it's cruddy outside i vape in the bathroom noone cares, i have even vaped on the floor, management doesn't care either!
maybe one of these days HR will be ok with it...

 

[Crash Moses]

IT here too. We're not allowed to vape (or drink or eat or fart) in our data center but everywhere else is fair game. I've even hooked my usb passthrough to my PBXs while I waited for my cig-a-likes to recharge.