_., 8 OPINION
THE MOORING MAST
OCT. 31, 2014
Don't huff and puff E-cigs on campus By MICHAEL DIAMBRI Ae5E Writer
THE MOORING MAST Pacific Lutheran University 12180 Park Ave S. Anderson University Center Room 172 Tacoma, WA 98447 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rel and Tuomi mast@plu.edu
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When we were kids, we were taught that smoking kills. This generation was thought of as the one that could finally kick the nicotine craze. This may not be so, because "vaping," smoking using an electronic cigarette, has become a popular habit among young adults. P HOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS Most electronic cigarette The FDA reported e-cigarette cartridges and solutions contain n.itrosamines, diethylene glycol and manufacturers also produce e-cig liquid, which contains little or no tobacco. This other ingredients that could be harmful to humans. has led many of the members of the e-cig industry to promote vaping as a Lutheran University's stance on the use E-cigs are different because the safer, healthier option than other means of tobacco-free electronic cigarettes? university does not want students to of smoking. As I interviewed PLU staff I got engage in an unhealthy lifestyle. This claim may not be accurate. the same answer: PLU is a tobaccoTom Huelsbeck, the associate dean These juices often contain nicotine, the free campus. But electronic cigarettes for Campus Life and Executive Director main cause of most smoking addictions. usually contain no tobacco. of Residential Life, released a statement The research into the effects of I spoke with Terri Phillips, the to me providing information on PLU's vaping is far behind the incredibly fast Associate Vice President of Human residential life policies on electronic - growing rate of the electronic cigarette Resources about PLU's policies, on cigarettes. industry. electronic cigarettes and its tobacco-free "The use of e-cigarettes is not With this new revolutionary form policy. permitted on campus as a part of of smoking comes new laws and Phillips confirmed the use of e-cigs the University Policy: Tobacco Free regulations. on campus is not allowed. Campus," Huelsbeck said. The residence Legally, people can "vape" as much "We made an informed decision halls are included in this policy because as they want anywhere it's allowed, as to be tobacco free, within this policy they are a part of campus, but it is not long as the cigarette is battery powered we decided to include electronic a Residential Life policy. The primary and doesn't contain tobacco. This has cigarettes," Phillips said. "E-cigs are not issue is the health related concerns led to situations where vaping has been FDA approved and the Pierce County associated with e-cigarettes (even spotted at movie theaters, concerts and Health Department has banned them though they don't contain tobacco)." even schools. PLU and other universities need in public places as well. This alarmed Buying an electronic cigarette and us as a safety concern and we are very to make their policies on the use of vaping is technically illegal for anyone concerned about the health and wellness electronic cigarettes known to their younger than 18. The laws surrounding of the PLU community." students. Saying a campus is "tobaccoe-cig purchases are generally similar I sat down with a first-year student, free" is not specific enough. to those that surround smoking and who chose to remain anonymous. He The American Heart Association using tobacco products in Washington confessed he set off a smoke detector reported e-cigarettes differ from state. These laws are hard to regulate while vaping in his room on campus. traditional cigarettes in that they do , and enforce with e-cigs because of their "I was just sitting in my room with not contain carcinogens such as arsenic online availability. friends, we had been vaping for around and vinyl chloride. Additionally, there Vaping has become more appealing 30 minutes and the smoke detector went isn't secondhand smoke associated than smoking. Individuals can still off" he said. with vaping. The main components achieve a nicotine buzz while of a cartridge of "juice" are not having to withstand the nicotine, propylene glycol, taste or smell of traditional "[The PLU tobacco-free policy] solvents and flavors. cigarettes. According to USA include [ s] electronic cigarettes." In fact, people can vape Today, "Due to the relative while enjoying a wide variety of newness in the popularity of flavors, including bubble gum, vaping, the long-term effects Terri Phillips raspberry, mint, watermelon of vaping have yet to be Associate Vice President of Human Resources and coffee. Many health analyzed." officials and parent groups Tobacco control are concerned that the flavors at the Boston expert and nicotine may make it a gateway to "I knew that it was a tobacco free University School of Public Health smoking, especially for teenagers. campus, the vape had no tobacco and Michael Siegel said "as long as e-cigs are It is common knowledge that nicotine my vape had no nicotine in it," he said. primarily used to help quite smoking is an addictive substance. Nicotine "I didn't think it would be against any and not to spur kids to smoke, they will addiction could be promoted by using rules." be a benefit to public health." an electronic cigarette. He said he knew a lot of people who Many people addicted to cigarettes Another coneern about electronic had done this. said vaping helped them quit smoking cigarettes is that certain types of "That was the original purpose and other tobacco products. Most of vaporizers can be used for THC-based for their use" he said. "The whole them said they did this by switching products, such as dabs or hash oil, community of e-cigs and vaping is to e-cigs and then slowly reducing the which are considered illegal in many about getting people off of cigarettes." nicotine-level. on college campuses, states and in any When asked if e-cigs were healthy Although many people may other area that receives federal funding this student did say that e-dgs indeed claim this to be true, the Washington or is owned by the government. were unhealthy. State Department of Health does not Vaping has become more popular "Bottom line, it is not healthy to put encourage this as a method of quitting and acceptable in our culture, especially anything in your lungs that isn't air" he smoking. However, quitting smoking with younger people. This is because the said. "It's become a very social thing." is clearly no longer the primary use of e-cig industry does a lot of its marketing When asked about what PLU should e-cigs. through social media. do about e-cigs he said, "I don't want I recommend that young people In addition, anyone can find a the school to make a big deal out this, it avoid using them. Because there is not plethora of videos online about how does really help people get off nicotine. a lot of agreement on the use of e-cigs, to perform creative smoke tricks while I do think people should avoid vaping people should not partake in vaping just vaping, often making it seem cooler to in their rooms because it can set off because it is considered something that younger children and adults. alarms" he said. "Campus Safety told is fun to do. There are also influences from me that the smoke detectors are very I encountered a number of people celebrity icons and peer groups. Vapes sensitive here." who could attest e-cigs can help people can be spotted at almost any college Evidence shows vaping can actually quit smoking, but the process took a party or one can simply drive around set off fire alarms, but there have also long time. Only one person I talked to Parkland, where a wide variety of been reports of other products such as had fully quit smoking, meaning they people can be seen vaping in their cars. air freshener, hairspray and burnt toast no longer even used an e-cig. Many celebrities like Katy Perry and setting off alarms as well. These are The risks are much higher than the Leonardo DiCaprio have been known to examples of products PLU can restrict rewards, in this case, so don't smoke. enjoy vaping as well. from being in the residence halls, but With all this stated, what is Pacific are unable to enforce.
~f you want more of the DOH's opinion and research on e-cigs go to:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Youand YourFamily/Tobacco/OtherTobaccoProducts/ECigarettes
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