I also work at a hospital with a strict "no tobacco" policy. Luckily I have to wear scrubs at work, so I happen to have a locker in the dressing room that is way in the back, hidden from the entry way. I vape back there during breaks.
Some of my trusted co-workers know that I vape, and think its great that I haven't had a cig in 5 months. Some I trust to vape in their presence, others not. One social smoker even samples my new flavors when I get them. "What's ya toot'n on today? Dang that's good, REAL good."
It's my opinion vaping is just another form of a nicotine delivery system like the patches and gum, and those are allowed. The "smoke" is actually just water vapor, there is no tobacco used whatsoever.
I asked one of the head nurses not too long ago about patients being allowed to vape in the hospital, explaining all of the above. She said she would check into it with her superiors. She got back with me a few days later, saying the general consensus was they would not be allowed, as they were such a new device and that there were no current scientific studies concerning the safety of e-cigarettes.
But on the other hand, I've read on ECF that there are progressive hospitals that actually hand out free disposable e-cigs to patients and visitors in the hospital in an attempt to help them consider stopping smoking. Now THAT is what I'm talking about!
