Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become popular substitutes for smoking tobacco. It is estimated that there are around 700,000 users of e-cigarettes in the UK.
The devices consist of an electronic inhaler that vaporises a liquid — which may or may not contain nicotine — and allows the user to inhale an aerosol mist.
Manufacturers of e-cigarettes provide different “flavours” of liquids (menthol, vanilla, coffee, etc) so that users can choose the taste that they prefer. The “flavours” are usually in a solution used in inhalers for medical purposes, ie for asthma. This provides the simulation of smoking.
The e-cigarettes normally have an LED light on the tip to identify when the device is being used. The colour is usually blue so that it can be distinguished from tobacco cigarettes.
Manufacturers have provided liquids that can contain different quantities of nicotine. Hence these can assist tobacco smokers to use an alternative nicotine replacement therapy. In tests, people inhaling the aerosol from liquids containing nicotine have been found to have similar amounts of the substance in their blood as those people using nicotine patches.
Manufacturers also supply liquids without any nicotine in them, as some users see the psychological habit of “smoking” more critical than simply the nicotine effect itself.
Currently there is very little information about the long-term health effects of using e-cigarettes. It is clear that there is no combustion of tobacco, so substances like tar do not exist. Hence they appear to offer a safer alternative to tobacco for both the user and those around them. Nicotine is addictive but in the amounts used in e-cigarettes it is thought to be no more harmful than the quantities released in nicotine patches, for example.
The World Health Organization acknowledges that e-cigarettes are likely to be less harmful than conventional smoking, but warns that their use may potentially increase the background air levels of nicotine and other substances that could be harmful to adolescents and pregnant women. It also points out that e-cigarettes have not been subjected to many independent tests and that any impact on health arising from their use may not become obvious for some years. It, therefore, recommends a legal ban on the indoor use of e-cigarettes and other such devices.
Given the known health effects of smoking tobacco, the use of e-cigarettes has obvious benefits. In the EU there are proposals to regulate tobacco alternatives that contain nicotine. Such products are permitted but, under the proposal, would require consistency in certain standards of manufacturing the products. While this would put nicotine-containing products under the same controls, e-cigarettes not using nicotine are not likely to be included in such a regime.
E-cigarettes and no smoking policies
Currently the inhaling of e-cigarettes is not in breach of the No Smoking legal requirements that apply to tobacco.
However, some employers ban e-cigarettes for food hygiene reasons, eg they do not want any potential food contaminants on the production floor. Others ban e-cigarettes on the basis that it may lead to employees believing that the tobacco ban is no longer in place or can be ignored.
As e-cigarette users are not smoking tobacco, there appears to be a much reduced health risk when compared to tobacco smoking.
As the sale of e-cigarettes is permitted, the health risks appear to be significantly reduced, and — in the case of liquids containing nicotine — nicotine patches, etc are already available, employers will need to consider their own circumstances whether or not to permit e-cigarettes in the premises they control. Given the emphasis on consultation when developing a smoking policy, it may be equally important to undertake a similar consultation exercise on developing a response to e-cigarette use.
Stress is something which we will all experience at different times in our lives. It will occur when we perceive that we are experiencing levels of pressure that we find difficult to cope with (ie either too much or too little pressure). A certain level of pressure, or challenge, is necessary to enable us to get the most out of life, but pressure should not be confused with stress. Stress, mismanaged, can cause both mental and physical illness.
Some common causes of stress
Bereavement.
Serious illness of a loved one.
Moving house.
Excessive workload.
Loneliness.
Financial worries.
Home/work conflicts.
Boredom.
Relationship problems.
Being bullied or harassed.
Some common effects of stress
High levels of anxiety.
Low self-esteem.
Inability to concentrate
Being more prone to accidents.
Headaches/migraine.
Depression.
Panic attacks.
Chest pains.
Stomach problems.
Relationship problems.
Proven coping strategies for managing stress
Turning to food, alcohol or nicotine does not work, and might worsen the situation. Try some of the coping strategies below instead.
Learn to recognise your own early warning signs — you might, for example, find yourself becoming very anxious, irritable or tearful.
Work out what is really causing you stress. It is all too easy to blame one source. In reality stress usually comes from a variety of sources, one of which might even be you. Do you ever question the expectations you have of yourself and others? Review what action you could take to reduce or eliminate the things that are causing you stress.
Make time for a short period of relaxation every day. Do something which you enjoy and which fits into your life. This does not need to be difficult or time-consuming.
Do not give up on exercise or feel it is a waste of time. Make sure you make time for moderate exercise each day, such as swimming or walking. It will make you feel fitter and far more in control.
Eating and drinking sensibly can really help. Try and ensure that you:
eat a balanced diet, and do not skip breakfast — it will boost your energy levels
eat complex carbohydrates, eg pasta and wholemeal bread, rather than refined carbohydrates, eg cakes and pastries, as this can help keep your sugar levels in balance and prevent mood swings
eat lots of fruit and vegetables, as this can help support your immune system which is often affected when an individual is under stress
drink plenty of water, as this will help rehydrate your body and flush out toxins
keep your intake of alcohol and caffeine within sensible limits — caffeine is not just in tea and coffee, but is also found in chocolate and some cola drinks.
Manage your time effectively. Cut out time wasting and establish priorities by identifying what you:
must do
should do
like to do.
Learn to say “no”. It is easy to find yourself with too much to do because you take on too much. Alternatively, make a compromise — accept the work but explain you will not be able to do it for several weeks.
If you feel you have insufficient challenges in your life, set yourself some new goals — ones that are realistic and achievable.
It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Other people can often be very helpful and give practical and useful advice. If you need help, turn to someone you trust or contact one of the national helplines. Your own GP can also be supportive at these times.
A “new or expectant mother” is defined as an employee who is pregnant, who has given birth within the previous six months or who is breastfeeding. Pregnant women and nursing mothers undergo many physiological, hormonal and psychological changes during the term of their pregnancy, and during the postnatal nursing period, both of which might affect the level of risk associated with their work. This topic provides information about the risks new or expectant mothers can be exposed to in the workplace, the importance of carrying out suitable and sufficient risk assessments and ways in which risks to new and expectant mothers can be best managed.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to identify, assess and address risks to all employees. This may identify that there are specific risks for new and expectant mothers. Once the employer has been notified in writing of a pregnancy, they must immediately take into account any risks identified in that risk assessment.
Risk assessments must take account of physical, biological and chemical agents, processes and working conditions which may affect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers.
Where specific prohibitions do not exist, employers must ensure their risk assessments consider the risks to new and expectant mothers before they perform any work.
Employers are also required to provide suitable rest facilities for pregnant women or nursing mothers.
The Working Time Regulations 1998 affect new and expectant mothers, especially in the area of night working, and their entitlement to free assessment of their health and capabilities before commencing night work duties. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also cover night work.
Exposure to certain types of chemicals (such as mercury) will create increased risks of ill health to either the mother or the foetus/child.
Consideration needs to be given to the increased risks from biological agents, such as hepatitis B, that may be passed from mother to foetus/child.
In 2018, we saw a significant development in the importance of, and resources committed to, mental health. Campaigns, public figures and unions all did much to raise awareness and to signpost what organisations can do to protect the mental health of employees, and support those struggling with their mental health.
Campaigns such as #TimetoChange and World Mental Health Day both played parts in encouraging conversations about mental health. With this momentum, we anticipate continued focus on this topic and a spotlight on existing legislation.
A recent independent review, Modernising the Mental Health Act: Increasing Choice, Reducing Compulsion, finds that the Mental Health Act 1983 is “outdated and paternalistic”.
“It was written when people with a mental health problem were something to be afraid of,” said Professor Sir Simon Wessely, who chaired the review group of mental health professionals, academics and patients.
“But the way we think about mental health and illness has changed dramatically, so now they are more likely to be seen as people to be helped.”
These findings, coupled with Theresa May’s announcement to invest £2.3 billion in support for individuals suffering from mental health conditions, indicate that 2019 could be another year of significant change in this field. Continue reading →
Crush injuries and fatalities sustained from being trapped between two vehicles are all too common – take the time today to check your procedures are not putting your workers at risk. Continue reading →
A “new or expectant mother” is defined as an employee who is pregnant, who has given birth within the previous six months or who is breastfeeding. Pregnant women and nursing mothers undergo many physiological, hormonal and psychological changes during the term of their pregnancy, and during the postnatal nursing period, both of which might affect the level of risk associated with their work. This topic provides information about the risks new or expectant mothers can be exposed to in the workplace, the importance of carrying out suitable and sufficient risk assessments and ways in which risks to new and expectant mothers can be best managed.
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