Company policies and vaping, my new job.

[John_]

vaping hasn't been an issue with the job I've had for the past 2 years because I do get any sort of benefits I'm just paid so I didn't have to worry about being a "tobacco" user. Well, I'm starting a new job soon and I don't know if my vaping will be an issue. I've seen posts about this before, people in similar situations, they're starting a new job and flipping out about the company's view of electronic cigarettes. If the whole tobacco/nicotine thing comes up I'm thinking about just saying I use the gum or patches and then maybe buy some and make sure people see me with them at work. What do you guys do? Do you just suck it up and incur any penalties? (extra charges for healthcare for example) Are you crafty and hide it? Does nobody care at your work?

 

[Intervap]

Bump for ya.
Nobody cares at my work. Right now I am sitting in the office with a nonsmoking coworker and I'm vaping crazily. My boss loves it because I don't go away from my desk and can therefore get more work done quicker. I also got her daughter in law to quit with an ecig and someone else is using a cigalike at work!
Now here's the catch, I work inside a bridge owned by DOT and US Customs which are very strict. I don't think they know we vape, but some of the Customs Officers would have a fit for sure!

 

[Marc Dixon]

. How's this? I vape all day in a laboratory, in a high rise, in manhattan.
I've shared this habit and it's benefits and stories of the disinformation and the true facts with my coworkers.
I even have a coworker that is allergic to, EVERYTHING, and is not bothered.

 

[jwag1973]

Unless your new job test for nicotine usage due to insurance or company policy, your probably fine. If your being offered insurance, your probably gonna have to fess up. If they have a no smoking policy, chance's are they'd have mentioned it to you during the interview process.

 

[PaulBHC]

I think he means he is worried if someone says they are not a smoker but a drug test shows nicotine in his system. It effects what you pay for health insurance. ACA is supposed to charge more for smokers and I wonder how this is going to work out with cigs, dip, chew, patches, gum, vape all giving a positive test.

 

[Jarbs]

"no, i do not smoke cigarettes" and see what happens from there if asked in regards to insurance.

 

[bhswmc01]

I just started a new job, and said July 6th, 2013 was my quit date for tobacco, since that's what the question was.

 

[Rosenec]

The test for smoking is different then the test they use for nicotine. Some health/life will ask if you smoke and some will ask if you use any nicotine sensation products. Honesty is usually the best policy. If you do decide to tell a white lie, you will have to give up nicotine for a couple of days before before the test. Drink lots of water and exercise will help your body expel the nicotine. If the are checking to see if you smoke, you should have no worries. I believe they test for Cotinine, not nicotine. Cotinine is used as a biomarker for exposure to tobacco smoke.

Edit: Think I may have some facts mixed up

 

[szot]

Avoiding insurance company answers is a commendable process in my book..they don't care about you so don't worry about them..do and say whatever U have to, to keep vaping and keep your own money in your own pocket..

 

[stevegmu]

Avoiding insurance company answers is a commendable process in my book..they don't care about you so don't worry about them..do and say whatever U have to, to keep vaping and keep your own money in your own pocket..

They do everything in their power not to pay claims. Good luck lying to them then expecting them to pay claims...

 

[LoveVanilla]

The test for smoking is different then the test they use for nicotine. Some health/life will ask if you smoke and some will ask if you use any nicotine sensation products. Honesty is usually the best policy. If you do decide to tell a white lie, you will have to give up nicotine for a couple of days before before the test. Drink lots of water and exercise will help your body expel the nicotine. If the are checking to see if you smoke, you should have no worries. I believe they test for Cotinine, not nicotine. Cotinine is used as a biomarker for exposure to tobacco smoke.

No offense but I'm almost certain that's not correct. They test for Cotinine which is a byproduct of your body metabolizing nicotine. They do this because it shows up longer than nicotine. No first hand knowledge, but I've heard 2-3 days is sufficient with plenty of water and good exercise (which is now much easier )

It is simply criminal and immoral that pharmaceutical companies are trying to force people to continue smoking so they can fatten their own profits. These executives and lobbyists deserve to sit in prison -- and then burn in Hell for eternity.

 

[Rosenec]

No offense but I'm almost certain that's not correct. They test for Cotinine which is a byproduct of your body metabolizing nicotine. They do this because it shows up longer than nicotine. No first hand knowledge, but I've heard 2-3 days is sufficient with plenty of water and good exercise (which is now much easier )

No offense taken, and i just looked it up and you are right. I just went threw this process not that long ago, and apparently totally confused what was explained to me. I am going to do some more research this afternoon.

 

[szot]

I can go to GNC and buy various products to fool any insurance company..same with drug testing...its really a simple easy thing to do, which is done daily by many...insurance companies, probation departments, court officials really have no clue whats going on..

 

[rurwin]

It's all very well to lie to insurance companies. It's great fun and they've got it coming to them...

Until you're in hospital and they refuse to pay to have your appendix removed because you lied to them and are therefore not covered.

In this country it is illegal not to have car insurance. If you have a no-fault accident and the insurance company then find you have a non-disclosed modification they refuse to cover the accident. Then the police prosecute you because you are driving without insurance. For ever afterwards you have to pay huge amounts for any insurance.

 

[szot]

Must suck to live in the UK...hmmm wait a minute, I did for 4 years, and yep it did suck!..Lakenheath and Mildenhall

Many things are illegal , such as spitting on a sidewalk or riding your own horse or your lawnmower on your own property with a beer in your hand..but I don't live my life based on listening to stupid laws and playing it straight....I'm not a puppet of Big Brother or insurance companies....I do the same as the stealing lieing insurance companies, and screw them right back every chance I get....U have to learn how to play their game and beat them at it...them suits don't impress me..

BTW....insurance companies here will also lie to you and tell U its illegal to drive without insurance, BUT its NOT true!...in any state U can go post a bond instead of buy insurance, but most people don't know that..so never believe what any insurance company tells you...there in the business of making money , making themselves and their lawyers rich...and they will go to any means (legal or illegal ) to take your money..

and if U believe a hospital won't remove your appendix when its a medical necessity in an emergency, then the insurance companies already have you brainwashed and own you...so may as well just give them your paycheck weekly and your house and car, and beg for the right to breathe air..

and if they asked me if I smoked, I'd tell them the truth..NO, I don't, ......not since I started Ecigarettes and began vaping...and I'd have no problem going to GNC and spending $25 to beat any test they gave me to save myself hundreds of dollars a year!..or pay a bud to do the test for me..

 

[Fizzpop]

I'm pretty sure at my place of employment they would ban indoor vaping if they became aware of it - smokers have to go outside. That being said, I just shut my office door, don't blow clouds and make sure to use a liquid that has a very light or no scent at all. Discretion is the better part of valor and all that.

Regarding insurance - if they want to know if you smoke, say yes. Most companies will test for smoking using a test for cotinine, which they will find if you are vaping. The insurance company can then deny any claim you make and cancel your insurance because you "lied." Don't take the risk, just pay the extra premium. It isn't right, but to do otherwise is a bigger risk.

 

[shelleyb]

I think he means he is worried if someone says they are not a smoker but a drug test shows nicotine in his system. It effects what you pay for health insurance. ACA is supposed to charge more for smokers and I wonder how this is going to work out with cigs, dip, chew, patches, gum, vape all giving a positive test.

Even though the ACA "allows" insurance companies to charge more for smokers - there is no requirement, so it's still up to the employer. Also many states do not allow higher premiums for smokers and in those cases the state law will prevail - so if your state doesn't allow it, you will not be charged more.

 

[stevegmu]

For some group plans- like mine, smokers don't pay a higher premium; they pay the standard rate everyone else pays-varying by whether a spouse or children are covered by the plan; they just don't get the non-tobacco user discount.