Ecigs in the ambulance?

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Niesje

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On my clinicals I was told that some EMTs and medics used Ecigs, but I heard that one person got into big trouble cuz a passing car saw them in the back of the truck while they had the light on back there smoking one. Apparently they couldn't prove that it wasn't an actual burning cigarette, so they got into huge trouble. I wasn't there, so this is all hearsay, but what is your experience with this? Does anyone use them or know anyone that uses them? Would you get into trouble for using them? Just curious, cuz I use one all the time now. It's pretty much the only way I can quit smoking. I'm perfectly fine with not using it in the truck though.
 
I know people that use them.

I know people that use them on duty.

I've never seen or heard of them getting in trouble for using one.

People can smoke cigarettes on duty, so why the hell not.

Don't put marijuana in them and you should be good*

Get your lazy *** out of the back of the ambulance to smoke one if you're worried about getting in trouble**

*Unless you live in CO or WA

** That was a general 'your'
 
Rob wasn't directing the comment at you, but to those who smoked in the truck rather than getting out. I did know someone at my old service who was disciplined for using an Ecig while working, but this was only after other issues with smoking on duty. This is going to be another agency specific thing, so I'd honestly just ask whoever is hiring you.
 
Folks, stay on topic. If I have to come back here and clean this thread up again, somebody is going to bed without dinner!!*

Capiche?





*and when I say "without dinner" I mean getting an infraction.
 
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Not sure what was wrong with my post but I guess I'll try again.

We're constantly in the public's eye, especially if your agency runs System Status Management. I personally would have no issue with my partner smoking an E-cig in the truck and I'd probably even try some seeing as the menthol tastes pretty good but as you (the OP) pointed out they're very easy to mistake for a real cigarette (except for the one with the blue light but still looks similar).

It's gonna vary company to company as far as discipline but I personally think if you (used generally...don't freak out please) want to take some drags just hop on out.

I'd be willing to bet a company could make a reasonably solid case against them if they had a no tobacco policy. While they're not actual tobacco they do contain nicotine.

When it comes down to it we're in a customer service industry and that customer is the public, even if we aren't transporting them. So if they don't like it and complain something will probably come of it. Even though you and your partner know its an E-cig the Joe Shmo driving by doesn't and in the end it's his (the public's) perception that matters.
 
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Most people I work with smoke all the time, sometimes right outside the hospital after a call. Every service I rode out with had smokers. Its all about when and where. Obviously never around patients and even though its not a real cigarette and leaves no smell, using it in the ambulance just doesnt seem right. Maybe if its in the back where no one can see you but still seems a little iffy to me. You might as well hang out with the other smokers.
 
wannabeHFD said:
Most people I work with smoke all the time, sometimes right outside the hospital after a call. Every service I rode out with had smokers. Its all about when and where. Obviously never around patients and even though its not a real cigarette and leaves no smell, using it in the ambulance just doesnt seem right. Maybe if its in the back where no one can see you but still seems a little iffy to me. You might as well hang out with the other smokers.
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I usually do with go out with other smokers. I'm always nervous someone will say something about it even tho it's only water vapor. Mine don't even contain nicotine, they're just flavored water vapor. I don't see why he was doing it in that situation. From what I was told they were stopped outside the patient's house about to go in and pick them up. That's allegedly when a passing car saw him climbing out of the back with an Ecig.
 
I've seen a lot of EMT's with e-cigs and vapors nowadays. I'm not the type of guy to go up to them and give them a lecture about how they're an image of their company.
 
My former partner used ecigs. It does look bad, and is technically against company policy, but it was that or a real cig. I never said anything; he kept it under control.
 
NPO said:
My former partner used ecigs. It does look bad, and is technically against company policy, but it was that or a real cig. I never said anything; he kept it under control.
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I wondered if some places had rules against them. I remember when they were first popular and they had all those infomercials and they said you can smoke them anywhere. They even showed that guy in the restaurant and the waitress telling him not to smoke. "Nah, it's all cool, it's just water!" But this story just made me curious.
 
Niesje said:
I wondered if some places had rules against them. I remember when they were first popular and they had all those infomercials and they said you can smoke them anywhere. They even showed that guy in the restaurant and the waitress telling him not to smoke. "Nah, it's all cool, it's just water!" But this story just made me curious.
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They aren't specifically against policy, but any tobacco products are against policy, there fore by extension so are ecigs.
 
Niesje said:
I usually do with go out with other smokers. I'm always nervous someone will say something about it even tho it's only water vapor. Mine don't even contain nicotine, they're just flavored water vapor. I don't see why he was doing it in that situation. From what I was told they were stopped outside the patient's house about to go in and pick them up. That's allegedly when a passing car saw him climbing out of the back with an Ecig.
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Frankly they sound like someone with a rake up their *** and nothing better to do than to :censored::censored::censored::censored::censored: about every little thing just so they Can have people focus on them since they have nothing better to offer society.
 
having worked with alot of guys that tried them; they do smell. not as bad as real cigs, but they do smell.
 
I would take it as a sign that someone is trying to quit smoking cigarettes, it seems like this would be a good thing? Inside the ambulance though.... hmm.... I dunno, I would prefer they do it outside the ambulance. Mainly because to the public eye it looks like we are smoking "something" inside the the rig.
 
Putting something into your mouth in the back of the ambulance? I hope your rig is as clean as you think it is. That said, I'd think someone would have to be pretty desperate for nicotine if they didn't have the time to pull over and step outside before puffing away. Even my brother, who works around very flammable substances, will step a 'safe' distance away before using his e-cigs, just for appearances sake. No sense giving his boss another heart attack.
 
ExpatMedic0 said:
I would take it as a sign that someone is trying to quit smoking cigarettes, it seems like this would be a good thing? Inside the ambulance though.... hmm.... I dunno, I would prefer they do it outside the ambulance. Mainly because to the public eye it looks like we are smoking "something" inside the the rig.
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Exactly. It's all about appearance. They always drill it into your head to maintain a professional image and it's looks unprofessional to even appear to be smoking something in the ambulance
 
Niesje said:
On my clinicals I was told that some EMTs and medics used Ecigs, but I heard that one person got into big trouble cuz a passing car saw them in the back of the truck while they had the light on back there smoking one. Apparently they couldn't prove that it wasn't an actual burning cigarette, so they got into huge trouble. I wasn't there, so this is all hearsay, but what is your experience with this? Does anyone use them or know anyone that uses them? Would you get into trouble for using them? Just curious, cuz I use one all the time now. It's pretty much the only way I can quit smoking. I'm perfectly fine with not using it in the truck though.
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Whether it is the back of the truck or the cab of the truck, there is no place for this.

Try and keep it classy!
 
CritterNurse said:
Putting something into your mouth in the back of the ambulance? I hope your rig is as clean as you think it is. That said, I'd think someone would have to be pretty desperate for nicotine if they didn't have the time to pull over and step outside before puffing away. Even my brother, who works around very flammable substances, will step a 'safe' distance away before using his e-cigs, just for appearances sake. No sense giving his boss another heart attack.
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A million times this
 
As the ad says, "We're all adults here".

While social stigma has just about equated smoking with stomping on a puppy, there are still a huge number of people that smoke, and smoke happily.

Granted, it may not be healthy, but neither is eating a cheeseburger and you don't see people sneering when someone buys a chunk of cheddar at the supermarket. The media hype against smoking has become its own self sustaining beast. Whether or not someone smokes is their own decision. As long as they smoke in a sensible and sensitive manner (i.e. not in a closed space with other people or where other people may be bothered by the smell) then who are we to pass judgement on them?

E-cigs are both a means to quit smoking and also a convenient alternative to conventional cigarettes. They dispense nicotine and water vapor, and generally the only odor they produce is that of the scent they are infused with. So what if people see you using one? If someone complains that they saw you "smoking" in an ambulance, just tell them that it was only water vapor being exhaled.

And any employer who thinks that E-cigs are a "tobacco product" simply needs to be educated as to the real purpose behind them. Talk with your boss and explain that the product you are using doesn't produce a strong odor or have the same carcinogenic properties as real tobacco. Tell them that it is a way to get a nicotine fix without the typical stench. And if they still don't want you to be seen doing it in the ambulance, then just capitulate and choose to use an E-cig when you have a chance to step away for a moment.

Honestly though, we're all adults here. Don't go running off to tattle or get a cancer screening whenever you pass a smoker on the street. That McMuffin or 'quad extra-hot no-foam latte' are just as hard on your heart as a cigarette is.
 
TheLocalMedic said:
As the ad says, "We're all adults here".

While social stigma has just about equated smoking with stomping on a puppy, there are still a huge number of people that smoke, and smoke happily.

Granted, it may not be healthy, but neither is eating a cheeseburger and you don't see people sneering when someone buys a chunk of cheddar at the supermarket. The media hype against smoking has become its own self sustaining beast. Whether or not someone smokes is their own decision. As long as they smoke in a sensible and sensitive manner (i.e. not in a closed space with other people or where other people may be bothered by the smell) then who are we to pass judgement on them?

E-cigs are both a means to quit smoking and also a convenient alternative to conventional cigarettes. They dispense nicotine and water vapor, and generally the only odor they produce is that of the scent they are infused with. So what if people see you using one? If someone complains that they saw you "smoking" in an ambulance, just tell them that it was only water vapor being exhaled.

And any employer who thinks that E-cigs are a "tobacco product" simply needs to be educated as to the real purpose behind them. Talk with your boss and explain that the product you are using doesn't produce a strong odor or have the same carcinogenic properties as real tobacco. Tell them that it is a way to get a nicotine fix without the typical stench. And if they still don't want you to be seen doing it in the ambulance, then just capitulate and choose to use an E-cig when you have a chance to step away for a moment.

Honestly though, we're all adults here. Don't go running off to tattle or get a cancer screening whenever you pass a smoker on the street. That McMuffin or 'quad extra-hot no-foam latte' are just as hard on your heart as a cigarette is.
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I dont think anyone is angry at the EMT or Medic smoking in the parking lot, away from the ambulance and ER doors. If I see someone like that smoking it doesnt bother me. If someone does raise an eyebrow, it is as simple as you said. Inform them that it is an ecig.

My partner used to step away to "smoke" after calls while I deconned or did paperwork. I have no problem with that. It was when he would "light up" while in the cab. It didnt bother me, but it doesnt look good from the outside looking in.

The problem arises when you are driving. Perhaps at a stoplight and you're using an ecig. The car next to you doesnt know its fake, and your employer probably wont care when they get a phone call from the concerned citizen.
 
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