Unions Oppose Workplace Vaping
The TUC voices its opposition to vaping at the latest parliamentary APPG meeting.
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by Dave Cross
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The government’s recent advice to UK businesses in the Tobacco Control Plan was that they should encourage safer alternatives to tobacco smoking – something Mark Pawsey MP has been pushing for in Parliament for almost three years. The APPG’s proposal was to change the policy towards risk-reduced products on the parliamentary estate; it was a meeting described as “very dynamic” by some sources.
John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, oversaw vaping MPs kicked out of the buildings, in 2015, to one of the two designated vaping spots (shown in the photograph). At the time, Stephen Metcalf MP, South Basildon and East Thurrock, said: “The ban is so silly that MPs are increasingly ignoring it, which is not a great image for lawmakers. We need evidence-based policy making on vaping.”
Lord Ridley has previously spoken in support of vaping and is no fan of the ban either: “This ban is scientifically illiterate, control-freakery. Let’s have a sensible discussions about where is polite to vape – but banning MPs and Lords from vaping in their own private offices is more than stupid. We want to help people off tobacco not push them back into smoking.”
“The MPs were all well informed and keen to find a solution to getting vaping accepted in public and work places, without upsetting non-vapers” said the NNA’s Jessica Harding. “It was interesting to learn from Jim Cathcart that the British Beer and Pub Association have not had to address concerns about vaping from their members - some pubs allow it, some don't, and the chains and individual licensees are just working it out for themselves.”
While the BBPA hold an open and enlightened approach to vaping, the same could not be said for the TUC, represented by Unison’s Robert Baugh. When presented with a range of organisations, including evidence from the NHS, that workplace vaping was a good thing, Baugh’s response was a curt: “The TUC disagrees”, without further expansion according to the NNA.
Jessica added: “It was very disappointing to hear the TUC representative expressing concerns over the effects of second-hand vapour and nicotine, refusing to accept that there is now a bulk of evidence refuting the so called gateway effect and questioning the integrity of the research that has been conducted.”
“He rejected the entire body of evidence from Cancer Research UK, ASH, Public Health England, Royal College of Physicians, Royal Society for Public Health, British Medical Association and instead chose NHS Wales, who are so insignificant that those in the room weren't even aware of what their policy is.”
While comments made at the meeting may be taken back to union offices for debate, union members who vape may wish to contact their representatives to push for a change in position.
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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