Do you allow your Soldiers to smoke Vapor/electric cigarettes in the workplace?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 22:18:12 -0500

Do you allow your Soldiers to smoke Vapor/electric cigarettes in the workplace i.e. indoor offices/ hangars etc. Or do you make them go to the smoke area with the rest of the smokers? I do not allow it nor do I think it's professional in appearance.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 10:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 22:22:12 -0500

I have seen civilian employees use them in government buildings.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 11:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:24:46 -0500

SFC Beauchamp,

I understand and can appreciate and respect your opinion. However, I disagree overall, respectfully. I was a smoker for about 10 years, I am 24 now. I switched to a vaporizer about 8 months ago and haven't had a cigarette since. In no way am I making an attempt at a "look how far I've come" statement, but I believe that it should be notes the benefits of electronic cigarettes. I "vape" in my workplace, I am currently the BN Automations NCO, so I am highly visible amongst the CoC. We've spoken with our BN CSM and asked if it would detract for the mission, and he didn't care. He advocates it, stating "it cuts back on smoke breaks, and is not messy and gross like dip/chew". We recently received a new SSG who informed me that there's an executive order than says smoking is prohibited within 50 ft of all gov buildings, but I argue(not with him) that vapor and smoke are two different things, the properties of smoke and vapor contrast exponentially. Since being informed of this executive order, I have not vaped in the workplace, not out of "knowing im wrong" but because the SSG has informed me of this order, so out of respect for the rank, I will say "Check, rgr." Until I am able to define and note the differences between smoke and vapor more clearly. I am interested in everyone's opinion on this matter! Great post SFC Beauchamp!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 1:13 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 01:13:42 -0500

SFC BEAUCHAMP: I agree with you that electronic cigarettes should NOT be allowed in the workplace and the appearance is unprofessional. Also, although these electronic cigarettes may be better for you than real cigarettes, they still cotain harmful chemicals and could leed to future health problems.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 8:21 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:21:23 -0500

As a young PFC I remember smoking during platoon meetings in the PSG office. He didn't smoke but most of us did. Window would be open and things got done. As a NCO I would spend a lot of "quality time" with my soldiers while on a smoke break. You can definitely learn a lot, especially the pulse of the organization, by just listening to Joe during those 10 minutes.
As far as vaping.. I just started 1 month ago and have to admit that after 25 years of Marlboro, I feel 100% better.
As a retired CW3.. I think it is asinine to allow your soldiers to take a 10 min break about once an hour to walk 50 feet away from the door IOT inhale carcinogens. Loss of productivity alone should sway opinions. Add to that the responsibility that we as leaders assume with the title, taking care of the health and welfare of them and I think it is a very easy decision.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 8:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:41:43 -0500

I would personally allow my soldiers to use them inside. It would cut down on breaks, and doesn't really negatively affect anyone else in the office. I'm pretty sure they would still occasionally want to go out to the smoke break area though. Sometimes it's nice to get outside and associate with people you haven't had to stare at all day.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Feb 20 at 2014 11:28 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:28:41 -0500

If I'm not allowed to smoke my Soldiers, then they arent allowed to smoke.  ;-)

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2014 3:03 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 03:03:11 -0500

I do not allow it and I tell Marines to treat vapors and e-cigarrettes just like tobacco products. There is base policies out there on many major Marine Corps installations that blankets vapors and e-cigarrettes under the current tobacco policy. I am all for alternatives to tobacco and nicotine, but I am not for walking into a room filled with mist, smoke, vapors, etc and smelling all kinds of scents, it's unprofessional.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2014 11:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 23:11:37 -0400

I disagree with some of the words here. 1. You aren't allowed to use tobacco products in a government building. I don't allow my Soldiers to dip. Can't let them smoke. I would never allow them to use the e-cigarette. Yes it may cut down on breaks, and all the above reasons. But it is a unprofessional to have those products in the office.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 9:42 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 09:42:41 -0400

1SG,

Fortunately, allowing it would be against policy set forth in AR 600-63 para.'s 7-2a and 7-3a.

I read that line in the 2014 "new AR 670-1" slides but never found actual reference until locating AR 600-63's references today.