The Best Selling Drug Tests of 2020

Many employers are now required by federal and state laws to drug test job applicants and existing employees. Other institutions such as rehab centers, prisons, etc. can also order drug tests. On some occasions, parents and schools may also want to conduct drug tests. Some drug tests are designed to detect just one substance while others can detect a variety of substances in one testing.

Here in this post, we will take a look at the five best selling drug tests of 2020.

1. NICDetect Oral Cotinine Test

NICDetect is an oral-fluid cotinine (an alkaloid found in tobacco) rapid test that provides results with outstanding accuracy in under 10 minutes.

A lab test for tobacco or nicotine typically involves a 24-48 hours long waiting period. With oral swab based NICDetect, however, you can collect specimens anywhere at any time and get instant results. Administering the test is quite easy; you just have to follow some simple instructions.

With 30 ng/ml cutoff, this 1-panel rapid tobacco/nicotine test enables you to identify habitual or daily users of tobacco or nicotine while successfully eliminating cases that involve light-use of tobacco or nicotine.

People who test cigars occasionally, for instance, won’t test positive with this rapid oral test for tobacco/nicotine.

NICDetect Oral Cotinine Test is often used in the life insurance industry for risk assessment. Organizations operating in the wellness and occupational health sectors also rely on NICDetect for pre-employment testing of candidates to ensure tobacco-free workplaces.

Besides cessation programs, parents and schools also use this quick and convenient nicotine test to detect routine use of tobacco or nicotine.

2. Ten Panel InstaCube Saliva Drug Test with Indicator

This 10-panel saliva drug test can detect up to 10 drugs including Amphetamine, Barbiturates, Buprenorphine, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Opiates, Oxycodone, Phencyclidine, and THC (Marijuana) in just one test.  

Designed for forensic use, the Ten Panel InstaCube Saliva Drug Test is difficult to adulterate and offers good accuracy; testing can be observed directly by the drug test administrator and it is extremely hard for anyone to adulterate the oral fluid (saliva) sample.

You can photocopy saliva drug test results. This way, it is easy to review and send the results for subsequent confirmation, if necessary.

Since drug test administrators can simply collect human saliva, it is one of the least invasive drug testing methods. Since there is no requirement of a restroom, a saliva drug test can be performed at any location at any time.

3. Sixteen Panel PreScreen Plus Mega Cup (FUO) Drug Test

One of the best selling drug tests for employee pre-screening today, the 16-Panel PreScreen Plus Mega Cup (FUO) with Adulterants can detect up to 16 different drugs in one testing.

The drugs that can be detected by this urine drug test include Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Buprenorphine, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Ethyl Glucuronide, Fentanyl, K2(50) /Synthetic Cannabinoids / K2 / Spice, Methamphetamine, MDMA500 / Ecstasy, Methadone, Opiates, Phencyclidine, Marijuana, And Tramadol.

Organizations looking to screen job applicants or existing employees for a multitude of commonly used drugs generally prefer this 16-panel urine drug test.

The cups in these drug testing kits have specialty drugs such as Tramadol, ETG, K2 Spice, and Fentanyl; so they are an excellent choice for anyone looking to conduct zero-tolerance testing. Rehabs, too, prefer this type of drug test.

Once the urine sample has been collected, the Sixteen Panel PreScreen Plus Mega Cup (FUO) Drug Test provides the results within 5 minutes. This drug test is known to deliver up to 99% accurate results that remain stable for about an hour.

4. Five Panel InstaCube Saliva Drug Test

With the quick and convenient 5-Panel InstaCube Saliva Drug Test, you just need a saliva sample to get accurate test results within a few minutes.

This saliva-based drug testing method can detect five drugs including Amphetamine, Cocaine, Methamphetamines, Opiates, and THC (Marijuana). These are some of the most commonly abused drugs in the United States and several other countries around the world.

This drug testing method has been designed for quick and hassle-free photocopy. So, submitting test results (after printing them) for further confirmation is easy.

Since it uses saliva for drug testing, it is one of the less invasive drug testing methods available today. Drug testing administrators do not have to make arrangements for a restroom. Often, organizations that need a quick drug testing solution prefer 5-Panel InstaCube Saliva Drug Test over urine drug testing methods.

Since the entire process can be supervised by a drug testing administrator, there is little or no risk of saliva adulteration.

5. Twelve Panel PreScreen Plus Cup with Adulterants (CLIA Waived) Drug Test

A great drug testing method for use at both home and office, 12-Panel PreScreen Cup with Adulterants provides accurate results in less than 5 minutes.

This drug testing method can detect up to 12 major drugs in a urine sample in one testing.

The drugs that can be detected include Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Buprenorphine, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, MDMA500 / Ecstasy, Methadone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Phencyclidine, and THC. It can also detect oxidants, pH balance, and Specific Gravity.

The test cups can detect adulterants as well.

Positive Drug Tests among U.S. Workers Reach Highest Level in 16 Years

The share of American workforce testing positive for the use of marijuana and other drugs shot up to a 16-year high last year before the COVID-10 pandemic threatened to potentially increase drug use further.

According to a new analysis released by Quest Diagnostics, a well-known provider of diagnostic information services worldwide, the percentage of American workers testing positive for drugs increased by 4.5% in 2019, a growth rate higher than any year since 2003.

The drug test positivity rate for the combined US workforce, based on urine drug tests, registered an increase of 28% in 2019 in comparison to the period between 2010 and 2012 when the positivity rate stood at a 30-year low of 3.5%.

In addition to an overall increase in drug test positivity rates, the report said that specific regions of the US recorded a dramatic increase in the parentage of workers testing positive for the use of methamphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana.

The Most Commonly Detected Drug in American Workers

Marijuana continues to be the most commonly detected drug in the United States (federally mandated and general US workforce) and safety-sensitive workforce. Last year, as many as 3.1% of workers tested positive for marijuana.

Drug testing methods relied upon for the analysis included urine, hair follicle, and oral fluid tests.

In the Midwest and West, the marijuana positivity rate is more than the national average. Nearly 3.3% of workers in the Midwest and 4.1% of workers in the West tested positive for Marijuana.

The marijuana positivity rate, calculated on the basis of urine drug tests, increased by 29% between 2015 and 2019 and 11% during 2019. This is the highest jump registered for any drug.

Cocaine Abuse on the Rise in Workers in the Midwest and West

Between 2015 and 2019, cocaine positivity increased among workers in the Midwest and West.

In the Midwest, 0.28% of the US general workforce tested positive for cocaine in 2019. In 2015, 0.20% of the US general workforce had tested positive for cocaine.

In the West, instances of workers testing positive for cocaine have been historically on a lower side. However, between 2015 and 2019, the percentage of the US general workforce testing positive for cocaine in the West increased from 0.15% to 0.23%.

The surge in the percentage of workers testing positive for cocaine in the West was mostly due to increasing positivity rates in Colorado, Nevada, and Oregon.

Positive Rates for Opiates and Heroin on Decline in the US

According to the Quest Diagnostics report, opiate positivity rates in urine drug tests continue to decline in the US across different opiate categories. Americans testing positive for opiates generally consume morphine or codeine.

An estimated 0.31% of the general US workforce tested positive for these opiates in 2018. The figure declined by more than 19% in 2019, with around 0.25% of workers testing positive for opiates.

There has also been a noticeable decrease in the use of prescription opiates in American workers.

Positivity rates for heroin have also declined across all US workforces.

Significant Increase Overall in Percentage of Workers Testing Positive for Drug Use

The data made available by the Quest Diagnostics Testing Index is based on over 18 million urine drug tests, conducted between 2015 and 2019. A significant increase in the percentage of workers testing positive for drug abuse was observed during this period. The retail trade industry was the worst hit.

The maximum percentage of workers testing positive for marijuana was in the accommodations and foodservice industry.

Drug Use Likely to Increase during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that more people could use alcohol and drugs to cope with isolation and stress during the pandemic.

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health was quoted by the New York Post as saying that the ongoing pandemic has made it difficult for people struggling with drug addiction to access the much-needed treatment.

The report from the medical testing giant besides revealing the disturbing figures also suggests that the ongoing crisis can further accelerate the trend.

“Organizations will need to consider the impact of COVID-19 not only on workplace safety but also as a health concern for their employees for some time to come,” said Dr. Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology, Quest Diagnostics.

The findings discussed in the report are in line with other research. Drug-related deaths in the country, for instance, increased by 5% in 2019. Cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl were among the drugs that caused most deaths.

Drug-related deaths increased by 13% during the first few months of 2020 in comparison to the previous year, which partly happened due to the unfavorable and abrupt changes brought about by the pandemic.

Besides employee well being during the pandemic, organizations will also need to consider numerous dangers posed by workers under the influence of alcohol and drugs in the workplace.

According to the Quest report, the post-accident positivity rate in the general US workforce recorded an increase of 32% from 2015 to 2019. Between 2018 and 2019, the post-accident positivity rate increased by 8%.

Put simply, organizations cannot afford to suspend or truncate their drug testing programs during the pandemic.

Final Words

Statistics related to the type of drug abused by workers and regional trends concerning drug abuse by American workers can be ‘random and unpredictable,’ says Dr. Barry Sample.

However, the data shared by Quest Diagnostics does serve as a reminder that employers and HR leaders need to formulate and implement robust drug testing policies to keep workplaces free from the negative consequences of drug abuse.  

Besides negligent hiring charges, organizations temporarily suspending their drug testing programs to accelerate recruitments may also be staring at increased employee healthcare costs, and more worker compensation claims down the road.

Therefore, during the pandemic, it is more important than ever to screen new hires and existing employees for alcohol and substance abuse. 

Employment-Screening Options during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought several industries to a halt on an unprecedented scale.

However, many businesses need to hire new team members on an urgent basis.

They need to get new workers into their workforce quickly but also safely.

The pandemic has impacted the hiring process across industry sectors regardless of where your business is located, or the nature of business operations.

During the ongoing crisis, screening new hires or existing employees for use of alcohol and drugs, criminal background, etc. or validation of their work and education credentials is more challenging than ever due to the non-availability of information or resources.

Many public-records repositories, for example, are either close or difficult to access. So, verifying criminal and civil records, especially when you need to access county court records that aren’t available electronically, can be difficult (HR Daily).

Here in this post, we will look at various employment-screening options during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drug Tests during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many drug-testing labs continue to provide drug testing services for employment-screening amidst the pandemic but in-person visits may be limited or unavailable in some areas.

Some applicants may also be reluctant to visit a lab due to the fear of exposure to the virus.

You need to be sensitive to such concerns but also evaluate whether the refusal to undergo an alcohol and drug test is reasonable.

When a job applicant or employee refuses a drug test, it is advisable to document the refusal.

In case your company is regulated by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), refusals on part of job applicants to undergo drug tests need to be reported to the Medical Review Officer.

The DOT had released a statement that emphasized the importance of continued drug testing during the pandemic.

You may consider sourcing drug testing kits directly from a reputed supplier and carry out mobile drug tests to address worker concerns.

Many organizations are carrying out virtual drug screening of job applicants, especially remote workers and existing employees returning to work.

Organizations looking to ramp up the business following a period of suspended or limited business activity can rely on virtual drug screening options that take less than five minutes to complete.

Oral drug tests, for instance, can be easily conducted online. Since mouth swab collection and verification of test results (reading) can be carried over video chat, you can eliminate delays that come around in scenarios where you schedule drug tests through laboratories and job applicants or employees need to travel to get tested.

In case you are planning to conduct drug screening during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic at the worksite, be sure that –

1.           PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) are in place while conducting mouth swab or hair follicle test
2.           Sanitation procedures are beefed up; restrooms, for instance, should be sanitized between tests if your company is conducting urine tests

    III.            High-touch points such as chairs, countertops, doorknobs, etc. are cleaned frequently

1.           A freshly opened drug testing kit is used for each test

Depending upon whether you operate in one of the non-regulated industries, you may decide to temporarily forgo drug tests as part of employment screening or make a conditional offer of employment, contingent to the successful passing of the drug test.

However, keep in mind that state laws concerning the drug-testing of new hires or existing employees are still applicable.

Remember that approximately 70% of American workers are known to consume various drugs according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

Previous studies indicate that substance abuse increases during a crisis. Many leading media outlets have in recent past reported that alcohol and marijuana sales have surged.

Since the pandemic has thrown millions of lives out of gear, it is likely that drug abuse has increased over the past few months due to stress, anxiety, and fear resulting from an environment of uncertainty. Therefore, keeping up with your organization’s drug testing policy during the pandemic is crucial.

Verification of Work and Education Credentials

Verification of employment history and education credentials is likely to be difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. Managers or supervisors at business organizations and officials at schools, colleges, universities, training institutes, etc. may be currently unavailable due to closures or preoccupied with other tasks.

Small-scale institutions and business organizations in particular may be unavailable for document verification amid the pandemic; large-scale institutions often utilize automated systems for processing such verification requests.

Since work-experience certificates, diplomas, transcripts, training certificates, etc. can be falsified easily and cannot be authenticated in all cases, it is important that hiring managers do not accept any documents furnished by candidates for education and employment verification at their face value.

Until the world returns to normalcy, it may take much longer to process employment and education verification requests, even if you work with the best employment-screening service provider in your area.

Streamlining Employment-Screening Program

How job applicants are screened depends on the type of industry and the position under consideration. In industries such as transportation, healthcare, finance, and energy, employers must meet the minimum employment-screening requirements as per the applicable regulations.

Other businesses that offer services to their clients may also be contractually obliged to conduct employment-screening.

Even if your business is neither regulated nor obligated to meet contractual screening requirements, you may still need to reasonably screen all new hires in line with prevailing industry standards.

So, when you want to streamline your employment-screening program to accelerate time-to-hire during the pandemic, be sure not to truncate it. 

Try to adapt your employment-screening processes with the information and resources available in a manner that your organization fulfills all legal obligations.  

Post-Employment Checks

Since it may not be possible to complete all necessary employment-screening processes right away, your organization can reserve the right to carry out additional screening ‘after’ an individual has been on-boarded. 

This way, you can complete full screening post-hire when drug testing labs, courts, schools, and other sources are available.

Final Words

Employers and hiring managers need to ensure that employment offer letters are unambiguous about the status of employment-screening. You can ask candidates to self-disclose information about their criminal history and use of illicit drugs and alcohol ‘after’ a conditional offer but before they are inducted into the workforce.

Besides revising pre-adverse and adverse action letters to cover fresh hires, HR departments also need to develop processes in order to follow up with background-check service providers to complete any pending checks. In states such as California, employers may want to consider providing candidates with a revised disclosure form in line with the applicable laws and obtain authorization for the same.

Keep in mind that hiring workers without screening, as required by federal and state laws, can potentially open doors to negligent hiring lawsuits in the future. So, if you intend to loosen some of your employment-screening processes to hire new candidates without any delays, consider how such changes will affect your organization down the road before you make the final decision.

What are N95 Face Masks and Where Do I Order N95 Face Masks From?

What Are N95 Face Mask:

N-series respirators are face masks that provide protection from liquid and solid airborne particulates that do not contain oil. Regulated and classified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) a research department at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The N classification comes in three tiers based on filtration efficiency, 95% (N95), 99% (N99), and 99.7% (N100). The NIOSH filtration efficiency certification tests and subsequent product classifications are based on small particulate tests, 0.3-micron particle size.

The N95 face mask is the most common n-series mask. Tested and designed for a tight facial fit, N95 masks are single-use disposable masks (in a clinical setting, masks should be disposed of after each patient or after aerosol procedures [the current COVID-19 face mask shortage is prompting healthcare providers to extend mask usage-durations and mask cleaning/reusing techniques]). Capable of filtering out airborne bacteria and viruses, the N95 face fitting mask is often referred to as a surgical mask and is regularly worn by health care providers.

The N95 mask is a respirator that removes 95% of 0.3 micron or larger particles that are in the air and breathed in from behind the mask. NIOSH approved N95 masks worn properly provide a close facial fit that eliminates excess air leakage (the tight fit directs air to be inhaled through the special fiber layers rather than open-air gaps along the mask edges). N95 masks are made of flat fibrous layers that filter particles via, interception, inertial impaction, diffusion, and electrostatic attraction.

• Interception: Collects larger particles when the particles touch the fibers as they enter the mask layers, i.e., the particle breathed into the mask bumps into and sticks to a fiber material before it reaches the user’s mouth or nose.
• Inertial impaction: Collects larger particles, particles that are too large to maneuver their way through the fibers of the mask unencumbered, i.e., the particle gets stuck in the fibers before it reaches the mouth or nose.
• Diffusion: Collects small particles, particles in the air are breathed into the mask layers. While moving through the maze-esque layers of fibers the small particulates encounter competing air molecules, currents, and other particulates that redirect the small particles or stop their movement altogether. The space between the outermost and innermost layers of the N95 mask presents many obstacles, particles do not have straightforward paths to the user’s mouth or nose (particles get stuck on fibers or other molecules along the way).
• Electrostatic attraction: “Opposites attract,” filter fibers and particles both possess molecular structures and molecular charges. Based on Coulomb’s law and dielectrophoretic, particles that enter the N95 mask are constantly pulled and pushed by charged filter fibers and the particle’s own molecular charge. Resulting in particles bonding with filter fibers and stopping short of the user’s mouth or nose. N95 filter fiber layers present electrostatic forces that act as a barrier to particles by interacting with those particles’ own electric charge.

While the CDC doesn’t state the general public is required to use N95 face masks, we are seeing more people routinely wearing N95 masks in public. This is causing a shortage of face masks for medical professionals by manufacturers who once intended to supply the medical sector. Most N95 face mask manufacturers are now supplying the public worldwide leading to a mass of shortages to follow.

Are There N95 Respirators Available to Purchase Online?

While all face masks are becoming more difficult to find as the coronavirus pandemic continues, DrugTestsinBulk.com offers face masks of K N95 level. N95 face mask respirators are crucial for health care workers, and they’re becoming scarcer according to USA Today. In some cases, there are even businesses that are price gouging or simply out of stock unable to meet the current demand.

While we stand behind our products and customers, DrugTestsinBulk.com offers K N95 Respirator Face Masks with a very high filtration efficiency. All our K N95 face masks are in stock (while supplies last) to customers nationwide. The DrugTestsInBulk.com website offers a variety of medical supplies for both home and medical use. Ordering your KN95 Face Masks from DrugTestsinBulk.com allows you to save on today’s best-selling face masks by buying in bulk directly from our online store without sacrificing quality and a fast turnaround time with our expedited shipping. Order a case today (10 face masks per case) for your use. Visit the official KN95 Respirator Face Mask page on our website for more information. 

DrugTestsinBulk.com – Keeping You Safe, One Step at a Time!

COVID-19 Coronavirus: What It Is, How It Spreads, What We Can Do to Help

News and statistics on the COVID-19 novel coronavirus change each day. As we enter the third month of restrictive measures and unprecedented strain on our healthcare system, we are all wondering what our future is going to look like.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2, is a severe respiratory disease that originated in animals but jumped to humans allegedly through live animal markets in Wuhan, China. It is unclear what animal first passed the virus to humans, but there is speculation that it is connected to bats or pangolins. When a virus makes that leap, we have no defenses for it. Since it is not human in origin, our bodies have no immunity to it. Over time we might develop immunity, but at this point, it is unclear when.

Until scientists develop a vaccine or some other innovative intervention, we must follow strict guidelines to ensure it doesn’t infect more people. Most people do recover, but we are finding that deaths are not limited to the elderly or immune-compromised. It is a virulent, highly contagious strain that continues to evolve beyond what we currently have the capacity to contain.

How We Catch It

Catching COVID-19 is much easier than catching the flu or a cold. The virus remains active on surfaces for weeks, as observed by the crews who cleaned a cruise ship, previously quarantined off the coast of Japan.

As an airborne contagion, the virus lingers in the air for three hours after an infected person coughs. It can enter the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes, meaning that if you come in contact with a contaminated surface or a sick person and then touch your face, there is a pretty good chance you will get it too.

Why Instant Testing for COVID-19 is Essential

One of the most significant issues is that there appears to be a large number of asymptomatic carriers who are unwittingly passing the disease to others, probably thinking that they are doing fine.

The problem is, what we don’t know will hurt us.

As the world continues to fight the spread of COVID-19, it is essential that as many people as possible have access to tests. Currently, across the country and most of the rest of the world, we are facing concerning lab backlogs of up to seven days, a concerning shortage of tests, and tight regulations as to who has access to tests, meaning that the numbers we see likely don’t reflect the current reality.

The solutions we need are clear. We need access to accurate tests, and we need lots of them. With ready access to rapid detection kits, medical offices, and other healthcare facilities can get the answers they need quickly and recommend measures that are appropriate to each situation.

DrugTestsInBulk offers rapid antibody testing solutions for COVID-19, and assays are available for pre-order right now with delivery expected in the first week of April. These all-in-one cassettes require only a tiny amount of blood and will accurately deliver results in two-to-ten minutes. Fast results help medical teams make on-the-spot treatment and intervention decisions that will undoubtedly save lives and help us all get back to normal faster.

Reach out today to pre-order your COVID-19 Rapid Detection Test Kits.

Disclaimer: The content in this blog article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice.  DrugTestsInBulk.Com makes no representations or warranties and expressly disclaims any and all liability concerning any treatment, action by or effect on any person following the information in this blog post. This blog post is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For questions regarding any medical condition or if you need medical advice, please contact your appropriately trained and qualified healthcare provider

Why Are Rapid COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Tests Important?

Rapid COVID-19 Testing will allow us to get ahead of the PANDEMIC faster.

Currently, a potential COVID-19 patient can typically go to a drive-through testing site where staff will swab their nose and throat.  Those swabs are then sent to a laboratory for testing which can take 3-5 days to get results returned.  Medical professionals are also running low on collection supplies.

To increase the speed of detection, Rapid COVID-19 Tests will allow us to triage patients quickly so we can get to the infected faster and provide the immediate care needed and get them quarantined quickly.  We will be able to diagnose the possible presence of the virus in less than ten minutes.

Originally, DrugTestsInBulk.Com’s tests were to be used primarily by hospitals, but the FDA’s “Emergency Use Authorization” allows medical professionals and “patient care settings,” which naturally includes doctors’ offices to use the rapid tests.

Rapid COVID-19 point-of-care testing is necessary for handling pandemic diseases like coronavirus today and in the future. In addition to detecting infections, such tests will also be valuable to measure the effectiveness of antiviral drugs and vaccines against the virus.  These rapid COVID-19 tests will also be a huge help and value to help us measure the success of antiviral drugs and vaccines being developed to fight the virus.

With a single drop of whole blood, our COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) rapid test will present results within ten minutes.  All positive results that appear on the rapid, point of care test device should be followed up with a laboratory confirmation test.

DrugTestsInBulk.Com has partnered with its Biotech, contract manufacturing facility based in Anji, China to distribute the tests throughout the United States and even internationally.

The COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid TestCOVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette (Whole Blood/Serum/Plasma) is a solid phase immunochromatographic assay for the rapid, qualitative and differential detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to 2019 Novel Coronavirus in human whole blood, serum or plasma.

Test Features and Benefits:

• Fast results as soon as 2-10 minutes
• Facilitates patient treatment decisions quickly
• Simple, time-saving procedure
• High sensitivity and specificity
• Only Small specimen needed 5 μL of serum/plasma or 10 μL of whole blood specimens
• All necessary reagents provided
• No equipment needed

Medical professionals should consider these rapid tests as they are going to help save lives.

Electronic Cigarettes in the Workplace – The Growing Epidemic

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes as they are commonly called – are handheld devices that are powered by a battery. The battery enables the device to vaporize a solution that contains nicotine. The vapor is then ingested through the mouth to the lungs in a manner that replicates smoking. If you have heard the term “vaping,” this is what is being referenced – inhaling flavored vapor. In this case, the “flavor” is nicotine-based.

They Are Nothing New

E-cigarettes have been around since the late 1990s and were first marketed internationally in 2002. There are currently over 250 different brands of e-cigarettes available in the United States with sales slowly creeping up to the $2-billion mark. But what exactly are these devices? According to the US Surgeon General, e-cigs are considered tobacco products. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated in 2013 that e-cigs were safer than traditional cigarettes although some toxins are still transferred into the body through vaping.

What Can An Employer Do?

There is a lot of grey area when it comes to determining how to regulate the use of e-cigarettes in the workplace. Some major retailers have outright banned their use by employees while other big-name companies have allowed vaping in designated smoking areas. The grey area allows employers to essentially carve out their own policies and guidelines regarding e-cigarettes.

How You Do It

Here are several steps to follow should you choose to regulate the use of e-cigs at your place of business.

1 – Start With Your Current Smoking Policy

Your starting point should be to confirm that your existing smoking policy is aligned with state and federal laws. If it is not, this is the time to update it for consistency.

2 – Check The Wording of the Policy and Insurance Plans

If your smoking policy does not clearly define smoking to include such things as e-cigarettes, you may want to clarify this. Referencing nicotine products does not entirely cover this as not all e-cigs are “flavored” with nicotine.

3 – Add E-Cigarettes To Your No-Tobacco Policy

Essentially, when you include e-cigs in your existing company policy that bans smoking of any kind, you cover the bases. If your company has a mandatory drug testing policy, you may choose to include e-cigarettes and vaping of tobacco and non-tobacco products in it as well.

4 – Understand The Boundaries

It may be tempting to make a policy that completely bans any possible item or device that either creates the illusion or permits smoking of some kind. However, if you do ban everything including e-cigs where are they banned? Will you permit their use in designated smoking areas? Will they be permitted in outdoor locations that meet other state and federal smoking guidelines? Your policy has to have boundaries identifying where smoking can and cannot take place.

5 – Update Monitoring Systems

Can you identify an e-cig from a regular cigarette from a distance? If you permit one regulation for e-cigs and another for traditional cigarettes you may find monitoring of regular smoking difficult. The easy solution is to create a single policy that covers both or permit e-cig use in a different designated location than regular cigarette smoking.

6 – Provide Correct Disposal Material

If your company policy is accepting of e-cigarette smoking, it means that you will now have to provide a disposal system for the spent e-cig batteries. Bear in mind that e-cig batteries are considered electronics.

7 – Provide Advance Notice

Employees should be given no less than three months’ notice that new smoking policies will be going into effect and that they will also be addressing electronic cigarette use. You can give them six or twelve months notice, depending on the scope of the policy changes.

8 – Update Employee Handbooks

If your company issues policy handbooks to employees once you have created your new smoking policy, which will include guidelines related to e-cigs – you will have to ensure that all employee handbooks contain the new smoking policy information.

9 – Introduce A Stop Smoking Program

As part of a health and wellness component, your company can introduce a smoking cessation program to assist and support employees trying to quit smoking. You will have to decide as the program develops whether or not e-cigarettes will be considered as helping or hindering the progress of those employees trying to butt out. Your determination on that point should guide you as to either including e-cig users in the cessation program or not.

What Else Can You Do?

You can’t just make blanket changes to your company policies on smoking in the workplace without educating yourself on the pros and cons of electronic cigarettes. On the “pro” side there is a belief that e-cig use can assist those who are trying to stop smoking. However, there is little evidence to back this up. On the “con” side there are many toxins that can be consumed through vaping. This can confuse the issue of a non-smoking policy that does not include e-cigs.

As part of your education on e-cigarettes, you should also learn more about the ingredients of these handheld devices. The cartridge of “juice” – as it is commonly called – contains a mixture of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, and nitrosamines. While most of these contents are commonly found in other household products, nitrosamines are carcinogens. Although there are small amounts of carcinogens in e-cigs, the danger associated with them is largely unknown.

Take Action Now Rather Than Later

No doubt vaping is not a fad about to come to an end very soon. This is why it is essential to address the use of e-cigarettes in company smoking policies now rather than putting it off until there is a workplace issue. Hopefully, we have provided you with some guidance on how to address the situation in your specific workplace setting.

Contact Us Today

To help you enforce any of your drug and alcohol policies, contact us today at DrugTestsInBulk to keep your workplace safe for you and your employees.