Smoking in the workplace has always been a hotly contested topic, however, this has only got more intense after the UK government’s indoor smoking ban in 2007 meant that employees actually had to leave their office in order to have a cigarette. This has caused all sorts of conundrums for employers trying to manage their workforce, resulting in greater demand for smoking shelters across the nation. A lot has changed over the last decade, however, with new things like vaping also becoming incredibly popular.

As opposed to traditional cigarettes, “vapes”, as they are commonly known, only emit water vapour, and are therefore a lot more public-friendly than cigarettes. Consequently, vaping indoors is not technically illegal; that is, there is no government legislation in place that explicitly bans vaping inside. However, many establishments, including the vast majority of offices, have put in their own rules rendering indoor vaping unlawful. This means that for businesses, in particular, a smoking shelter is essential, even if your staff are only vaping. Read ahead for a few reasons why.

Problems can arise from letting your staff vape indoors

The number one issue with not having a smoking shelter if your staff vape is that they will then largely feel justified to vape inside the office, and this can cause a number of problems. Firstly, vape smoke, albeit not toxic, can still be rather unpleasant, having a tendency to stay in the air for quite a long time – most non-vaping employees will not be happy about this.

Secondly, a dangerous situation can arise if employers allow staff that vape to do so indoors, but leave staff that smoke traditional cigarettes to carry on going outside. The latter party may deem this unfair, and employers may find themselves embroiled in an argument.

A smoking shelter is a great communal zone for smokers and vapers alike

One of the key things about any workplace is fostering team spirit and sentiment, and this can be greatly improved with the inclusion of a smoking shelter. Smokers and vapers can mingle, hopefully creating real-world connections that will benefit them in the workplace further down the line.

Businesses with specific smoking shelters often find that they perform better than those without, and this is a key reason why.

If your staff exclusively vape, you can order a vape specific smoking shelter

Due to the shift in nicotine consumption over the past decade, businesses can now invest in vape specific smoking shelters, a perfect reason to get a smoking shelter if your staff vape. Companies such as Shelter Solutions can offer bespoke and tailor-made vape specific smoking shelters that will have your employees jumping for joy.

Vapers can often feel vilified by the general public, so it means a lot when they can see that their employers are thinking directly about them. In fact, you might find that your vaping staff may get a bit agitated if they can see that you are not taking them seriously.