Nearly half of vapers believe employers should allow designated vaping breaks

New data shows that nearly half of vapers (49%) believe that employers should allow designated vaping breaks.

We surveyed over 1,000 of our customers to find out attitudes towards vaping breaks within a work setting.

In response to whether employers should allow designated vaping breaks, out of 1,074 respondents, 526 vapers (49%) believed that they should be allowed.

Just 1 in 10 vapers thought they should not, with 1 in 20 responding that it did not affect them.

Over a third of vapers (36%) believe that whether this should be permitted depends on what the job role is.

When questioned about whether they would be more likely to take up a job, if the employer offered vaping breaks, nearly a third (32%) responded that they definitely would.

38% of vapers responded ‘maybe’, with 30% revealing that this would not make them more likely to take up a job.

Top tips for employers introducing vaping breaks

1. Stay up to date with the law

Laws regarding vaping are ever-evolving so it’s important to stay up-to-date with current legislation to ensure compliance, prevent liability and maintain your company's reputation.

2. Ensure that there are designated vaping areas

Where legal, it’s important that there are designated areas where employees can vape; this helps to prevent any confusion about where it is acceptable to vape and respects non-vapers.

3. Clear guidelines on vaping break policy

Ensure that your vaping break policy is in writing and is distributed across the company. This ensures that everyone is in the loop and can refer back to it for guidance on the likes of the permitted frequency and duration of vaping breaks.

4. Create equal opportunities for non-vapers

In order to promote fairness, it’s important to ensure that non-vapers are given the equal opportunity for a break to use as they wish. This will help to prevent any complaints from employees regarding vapers who are permitted to take vaping breaks.

5. Continue to review the policy

It’s important to continually review your policy to ensure that it is working in the best way possible for both employee wellness and business needs.

Benefits of introducing vaping breaks for your employees

1. Increased employee loyalty

When employees' personal needs are acknowledged, this can help to increase company loyalty, reducing staff turnover and subsequent recruitment costs.

2. Attracting talent

With a third of vapers stating that they would be more likely to take up a job offer if the company offered vaping breaks, introducing vaping breaks can be one way to beat your competition to recruiting talent.

3. Fosters a supportive environment

With nearly three-quarters (74%) of vapers using e-cigarettes in order to quit smoking, introducing vaping breaks can help to support employees who are opting for a more healthier alternative.

4. Sets clear expectations

Having a vaping break policy, with clear guidelines, helps to prevent any confusion and reduce the chance of any unauthorised breaks from being taken.

5. Reduces employee conflict

Allowing for a designated place for employees to vape, whilst permitting time for non-vapers to have a break, reduces the chance of conflicts occurring i.e. in the event an employee is vaping somewhere that a non-vaper does not like.

If you’re looking to support employees in quitting smoking, consider sharing our guide on quitting smoking here.

Methodology

We surveyed our customers regarding vaping and work in March 2025.

The following question: ‘Do you believe employers should allow designated vape breaks?’ had 1,074 respondents.

The following question: ‘If an employer offered vape breaks, would this make you more likely to consider taking a job with them?’ had 1,072 respondents.

The following question: ‘What was your primary reason for starting vaping?’ had 1,117 respondents.

Percentages based on the respective number of respondents (does not include those who skipped the question).

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