Do you need specific risk assessments for electronic cigarettes?

Electronic cigarettes are not governed by the smoking ban or restricted by tobacco laws due to their construction and contents. As the law stands, using an e-cigarette is not "smoking" because no "smoke", as defined in law, is produced. Therefore anyone using an e-cigarette, either outside or indoors, is not breaking the law.

Whether e-cigarette use in a workplace environment is allowed by your company will be down to your own rules and policies, but if you do not have a policy in place we suggest that you include one.

You also need to consider the risk of fire from the charging device, and that has been an issue with some models. The COSHH Regulations state some e-cigarettes require refilling from a bottle of nicotine solution and this may, therefore, also need to be considered.

The NHS have released advice on the health effects of electronic cigarettes which can be found at the NHS Choices website.