Vaping in the Workplace: Implications for Employer-Sponsored Tobacco Cessation Programs

J Occup Environ Med. 2020 Dec;62(12):986-992. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002013.

Abstract

Objective: Assess workplace vaping as a trigger for tobacco use; examine interest in and prevalence of vaping cessation programs; determine needs of parents whose children vape.

Methods: Employees of companies with more than 150 employees, drawn from an opt-in national online panel (N = 1607), ages 18 to 65, completed an online survey in November 2019.

Results: Among tobacco users, 46% to 48% reported workplace vaping was a trigger for smoking and vaping, respectively; 7% of former users reported it as a trigger. Quit vaping support is important to 85% of employees; 1/3 of workplaces have such programs, with industry variation. Child vaping results in presenteeism and absenteeism among roughly 1/3 of parents.

Conclusions: Workplace vaping is a trigger for smoking and vaping among current and former tobacco users. A gap exists between desired support for vaping cessation and current employer-sponsored cessation programs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Smoking
  • Smoking Cessation*
  • Tobacco Use Cessation*
  • Vaping*
  • Workplace
  • Young Adult