How vaping in the workplace affects health and productivity

The employee health landscape is becoming increasingly complex, shaped by a wide range of behaviors that influence well-being. One of factors is tobacco use—especially e-cigarette use or vaping—and it is putting employee health at risk. Federal data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that adult e‑cigarette use increased from 4.5 percent in 2019 to 6.5 percent in 2023.¹ The trend is consistent across nearly all age groups. During this same period, e‑cigarette use increased significantly among adults of every age except those ages 18–20 and 65 and older.² Sales of disposable e‑cigarettes have followed the same trajectory, increasing from 26 percent to slightly more than 58 percent.³

Many factors contributed to this uptick, perception being a significant one. Some people believe that e-cigarettes are harmless, but that’s far from the truth. Most vapes use a liquid that contains nicotine derived from tobacco, flavorings, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, ultrafine particles, and volatile organic compounds.^4,5 As Richard Celko, DMD, MBA, chief dental officer for UPMC Health Plan explains, “When heated by the device’s battery, this liquid forms an aerosol that coats the teeth and oral tissues as the user inhales, weaking enamel over time.”

Health risks of vaping: Oral and systemic effects
The chemicals in vape aerosol don’t just affect the lungs—they have direct and damaging effects on the mouth. 

“When you vape or smoke, you change the dynamics of the cells in your mouth, which can dehydrate you and contribute to issues like bleeding gums and dry mouth,” Dr. Celko said. “Without adequate saliva to wash away bacteria, you can have dry, exposed teeth or dry, exposed enamel, which makes it very easy for decay to set up on the surfaces of the teeth—mostly the top surface of the teeth—but it can happen between the teeth as well.” 

These changes don’t stay confined to the mouth. “Intraoral signs that appear in the mouth can have a systemic effect throughout the body as inflammation and other organs throughout the body can experience inflammation stemming from issues in the mouth,” said Dr. Celko.

Why employees vape 
Understanding the health risks is only part of the picture. It’s equally important to understand why people turn to e‑cigarettes. Motivations range from peer influence to the belief that vaping is safer than smoking. Dr. Celko notes that people use tobacco for many reasons, but one factor shows up again and again: stress. “What usually causes somebody to use tobacco is a stressor in their life. They may think they need a cigarette to cope with stress in that moment and reason that vaping is a healthier alternative,” he said.

How vaping can affect workplaces
Many people perceive vaping as harmless, but it carries real consequences that can affect employee health, performance, and workplace safety. 

• Employee health: Notobacco products are safe, including e-cigarettes.⁶ “The aerosol from a vape ends up going into your lungs, which can contribute to certain breathing issues, like bronchiolitis obliterans (often called popcorn lung), which is an uncurable devastation of the lung tissue,” Dr. Celko explained. Tobacco use also contributes to chronic lung and airway conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can reduce stamina, increase illness, and limit an employee’s ability to work comfortably.⁷
• Performance and productivity: Most vapes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive.⁸ Nicotine dependence can cause irritability, anxiety, cravings, and difficulty concentrating. Employees may take frequent breaks to vape, which can disrupt workflow and expose co-workers to secondhand aerosol.
• Workplace safety: E‑cigarettes can pose fire or explosion risks. Defective batteries have caused fires, explosions, and serious injuries, often during charging.⁹

How employers can help reduce vaping in the workplace
While vaping poses real risks, employers can reduce its impact and support employees who want to quit by taking these steps:

• Put quit supports in place: One of the most effective ways to reduce vaping is to prohibit all tobacco use in the workplace. Establish a clear, well‑communicated smoke‑free policy. Ensure your health plan offers resources that educate employees about the dangers of vaping and provides support for quitting.
• Offer comprehensive coverage: Employees’ total health starts with oral health, and preventive care plays a critical role. “Preventive care can help [employees] avoid periodontal disease, which can happen over time if you don't remove the plaque and calculus that can accumulate on your teeth,” said Dr. Celko. Providing easy, affordable access to oral health care can help support employees’ well-being and reduce indirect costs such as absenteeism, disability, and reduced work output—costs that can exceed direct medical expenses.¹⁰ Ensure that your plan’s pharmacy formulary covers nicotine-replacement medications, such as Chantix or Xyban, which help reduce nicotine cravings. Your coverage should also include options to support employees with chronic conditions.
• Help employees embrace change: Support can make a meaningful difference in an employee’s quit journey, no matter how long they have used tobacco. “It's never too late to change a habit, and changes occur by small adjustments. For many people, quitting tobacco is a slow, step‑down process. Making a tiny adjustment to a daily routine can lead to a remarkable result over time. Being there as a support and positive reinforcement can help employees get to their quit goal,” he said.

UPMC Health Plan resources
We offer high-quality employee benefits that address dental needs and provide access to resources that can help employees become tobacco-free.

• Health coaching for stress management and tobacco cessation support. 

• The Ready to Quit® program, which can guide employees through the process of quitting and staying nicotine-free. UPMC Health Plan also offers an online smoking cessation tool for its members as part of its MyHealth wellness programs. Members can log in through the website using their member ID.
• Access to UPMC behavioral resources, such as a tobacco treatment service in which certified tobacco treatment specialists help members create a plan to quit. 

   

  Additional cessation supports

• The Pennsylvania FREE Quit Line: This telephonic health coaching service is available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). It offers five coaching sessions and nicotine replacement therapy, all at no cost. Text messaging is included.
• QuitLogix: pa.quitlogix.org/en-US
• Tobacco Free Allegheny: Group and individual support is available by calling 412-322-TFA1 (8321) ext. 8321.
• National Cancer Institute: Clearing the Air–Quit Smoking Today at cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/clearing-the-air