Co-Worker Upset about Secondhand Vapor

[zoiDman]

Smoking does not equate to vaping. I think it is unreasonable to not vape somewhere because smoking of tobacco products are prohibited. This is exactly where I think many non vaping folks get confused and why they might be confused.
If someone questions what I'm doing or says "you can't smoke in here!" I tell them I am a non smoker and then I explain what I'm using and ask if it bothers them or the management.
I have never had anyone object to my vaping anywhere including my doctors offices, restaurants,and even in my hospital room after surgery I have also used my pv's at church in a meeting room before services.
C.B.

So what happens if one of your co-works asks you not to vape in the office? What would you tell them?

 

[Anima]

Are e-Liquids that contain Nicotine considered to be a Tobacco Product?

Because if they are, the OP's boss is putting his/her company in a huge risk if he/she says that the use of a Tobacco product is ok inside a confined work place. Lawyers just love stuff like this. It's the stuff high commission lawsuits are made of.

This is irrelevant in the current discussion. The OP offered to switch to 0 nic juice, but the ... who complained (who originally complained about getting second-hand nicotine) was not satisfied. BTW, a nicotine patch is a tobacco product. Can my coworkers sue if I use one?

BTW - What happens if more than One person in a office "sticks up [thier] ...." and says that the e-Cigs have to go?

Again, that's not the situation we are discussing. I suppose if their were an office petition (I think unlikely, based on my personal experience with tons of people who just don't care), that it would be reasonable to not let someone vape in his or her personal office.

BTW, I feel the same disdain for people who ..... about other innocuous behaviors in an office environment. I worked with a guy who sent out a memo .....ing about the hand lotion that his cube-mate used. He thought that there would be a new rule against scented hand lotion. Fortunately, everyone just laughed at him. I hate the smell of microwave dinners; should I insist that everyone bring a sandwich so as not to offend me?

 

[cigarbabe]

So what happens if one of your co-works asks you not to vape in the office? What would you tell them?

I would ask them what their objection was and see if it could be resolved between us
but this is not relevant to what is currently being addressed .
I would find out where management stands and since her boss is empathetic I would continue vaping until she causes further problems and then address what comes as best as I can.
It is not a tobacco product therefore he/she is not subject to the same laws governing smoking period.
One person trying to make the OP miserable for a reason that is incomprehensible and not fact based on law, her real health issues {as far as we can tell though she may claim that later as a last resort} etc. does not give them a right to overstep the boundaries of good or usual office behavior including harassing me about vaping in an office down the hall.
C.B.

 

[rothenbj]

More than likely the OP's co-worker is just p*ssed that she can't b*tch about all those smoke breaks the OP used to take.

 

[Kurt]

Why not vape flavorless juice? She will never know if she is in the next office. In the office I used to be in they definitely noticed the vapor smell. Didn't complain, but did comment. I made sure it was not offensive to them. If it had been I would have upped the nic, removed the flavor, hit less often and hold it, or else vaped outside.

Coming up with papers, studies, arguments as to why it is ok, doesn't mean it won't be a strong distraction to someone trying to focus on work. I don't feel I have that right anymore than playing music in an office might be safe, but rather distracting.

If she doesn't smell it, she probably won't be distracted by it.

 

[casualuser]

We have a clear glass window pane between our offices so she's able to see the vapor and that's why it bothers her. She NEVER smells a thing. Her claim is that I am polluting the air because she might inhale secondhand nicotine floating around somewhere.

Bottom line is that vapor is not regulated as of yet so there's really nothing she can do...

 

[zoiDman]

...

For those following the story last week she called the health department complaining that someone was "smoking". An inspector was at my office within the hour to investigate. He saw no ashtrays or smoking paraphernalia and explained that there were no policies in place regarding vapor - so he could not issue a citation for it. He did however issue a citation and a fine for not having a "No Smoking" sign.

All I can say is the boss was livid.

Now you understand why I only vape outside. Less problems.

How much was the fine?

 

[nanovapr]

This whole story is amazing, it sounds like you are caught in a tough spot. So comply, with one of these!

 

[Sdh]

OMG! Your co-worker is very petty. Watch your back for sure! Could you cover up the window? Or is that not allowed? Maybe the boss can get rid of her. I always thought folks should follow through the chain of command. She obviously went over their heads. I might offer that would be grounds for termination. So sorry about your problems.

 

[caged]

complain about her perfume or showering habits.

 

[Vagablonde]

well it seems out of proportion true..however one cannot say that it does'nt affect her..
just the suggestions of perfume..make me want to gag and die of allergies..
I personally find the smell of most ejuice pretty awful..my own included..with the exception of a few..
while it might be less nicotine then cigarettes..its still nicotine and her point in that is valid.
knowing I wont win brownies cookies for saying that,but playing devils advocate here.

 

[intriqken]

....There's a LOT of restrictions these days to accomodate other people's rights.

Why is it that we always seem to be accommodating other people's rights at the cost of denying someone else's???

 

[rothenbj]

well it seems out of proportion true..however one cannot say that it does'nt affect her..
just the suggestions of perfume..make me want to gag and die of allergies..
I personally find the smell of most ejuice pretty awful..my own included..with the exception of a few..
while it might be less nicotine then cigarettes..its still nicotine and her point in that is valid.
knowing I wont win brownies cookies for saying that,but playing devils advocate here.

You are correct, you won't win brownie cookies here. Your contention about smells is correct, although I am not as bothered by scents as much as you, there are perfumes that make me want to gag. In a politically correct world, any scent that bothers someone else should be banned. However I expect we'd end up with a scentless world with that concept. I guess I'm just too old school. Rather than make an issue when something bothers me, I move away.

As to your point on nicotine, I don't believe nicotine in itself has a scent that could be identified and nicotine is not what creates the delusional danger of SHS. That danger is created by the same components found in other "dangerous" products like candles and wood burning fires. The major difference between cigarettes and those two products is that some find the smell of cigarettes stinky and most like the smell of candles and fireplaces.

 

[cookiebun]

Interesting thread.
I was actually vaping OUTSIDE yesterday and got a complaint. Told them it was an ecig. " OH MY GOD, DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT'S IN THOSE THINGS!!!"
" Vegetable glycerin and water. I mixed this myself". A bit of a lie as I had a little bit of nic and and Hypnotic Mist flavoring as well.
Good grief people need to mind their own frakkin business.

I wouldn't vape inside where I couldn't smoke either.

 

[tommy2bad]

Just read the whole thread, if this was a romcom it would end with you two getting together.
She has the hots for you.
Seriously you can't win she needs to win this and won't let go. If you adopt the same stance you will be at each others throaths forever. Vape outside taking the usual smoking breaks. Less trouble and it'll p**** her off big time after the glow of victory wears off.

 

[zoiDman]

Is it me or did post #46 significantly change?

 

[AlmightyGod]

We have a clear glass window pane between our offices so she's able to see the vapor and that's why it bothers her. She NEVER smells a thing. Her claim is that I am polluting the air because she might inhale secondhand nicotine floating around somewhere.

Bottom line is that vapor is not regulated as of yet so there's really nothing she can do...

Originally Posted by casualuser
...

For those following the story last week she called the health department complaining that someone was "smoking". An inspector was at my office within the hour to investigate. He saw no ashtrays or smoking paraphernalia and explained that there were no policies in place regarding vapor - so he could not issue a citation for it. He did however issue a citation and a fine for not having a "No Smoking" sign.

All I can say is the boss was livid.

I'd say..........

 

[zoiDman]

Originally Posted by casualuser
...

For those following the story last week she called the health department complaining that someone was "smoking". An inspector was at my office within the hour to investigate. He saw no ashtrays or smoking paraphernalia and explained that there were no policies in place regarding vapor - so he could not issue a citation for it. He did however issue a citation and a fine for not having a "No Smoking" sign.

All I can say is the boss was livid.

I'd say..........

Does kinda change the spin on all this doesn't it?

 

[AlmightyGod]

Does kinda change the spin on all this doesn't it?

When I see these posts, I often wonder whether it's the anti-smoking, anti-vaping crowd looking to see how many of us are willing to honor their freedom and personal space. I stand by my beliefs that even though it may be nearly harmless, vaping can invade other people's freedom. My freedom stops where other's freedom begins. It's not really that difficult to excuse myself and stealth vape in the bathroom, or (horror) go outside and get some fresh air while vaping. Taking a belligerent attitude toward vaping being a right isn't going to help the movement go forward. All it really does is give them ammunition to use against us when it really matters. Some "anti" is going to step in front of a hearing and talk about how a vaper refused to not vape in an enclosed area, and we'll be dead in the water.

 

[caged]

well it seems out of proportion true..however one cannot say that it does'nt affect her..
just the suggestions of perfume..make me want to gag and die of allergies..
I personally find the smell of most ejuice pretty awful..my own included..with the exception of a few..
while it might be less nicotine then cigarettes..its still nicotine and her point in that is valid.
knowing I wont win brownies cookies for saying that,but playing devils advocate here.

You do bring up a good point. Some people are sensitive to PG and they would have a valid complaint in this case. I know there's even certain juices that i don't want to be around because I can't stand the smell.