Vape Pens Pt. 2

Vape pens at Linn-Benton are a topic of discussion. The policy states that vape pens are to be used at designated smoke shacks throughout the campus, however students continue to vape elsewhere.

“I don’t think vape pens should be treated like cigarettes because they are not the same. No litter, no open flame, and no lingering odor. However it is also habit forming if one vapes nicotine,” said student Dennis Hill.

The campus is on a closed system, which means any potentially harmful chemicals released by vape pens could very well be carried throughout the HVAC system vents to other parts of campus. This is the reason vape pen users are being asked to be vape at the smoke shacks located around campus and why smoking is not allowed just anywhere.

“The college must be in accordance with the clean air and workplace act,” said Jones.

According to SecondsCount.org, “Second-hand vapor, as shown by a recent study, is a health concern for bystanders. Trace amounts of nicotine, flavoring, glycerine, and propylene glycol are present in the vapor the user exhales. People have reported respiratory irritation, nausea, and headaches from inhaling second-hand vapor.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies propylene glycol and glycerine as chemicals that are, “Generally recognized as safe.”

"Vape pens will be treated identically to smoking. People who wish to vape need to use the smoke shacks," said Lynne Cox, associate dean of student development.

Renovating a current smoke shack or building a new vape shack around campus could be an option. However, this doesn’t solve the issue at hand.

“There are no plans at this point to move forward on any of those ideas,” said Dale Stowell, executive director, institutional advancement and foundation.

To build a vape shack it would cost the college approximately $30,000. For an endeavor such as this, it would require the college to plan and get zoning approval. Building a shack specifically for vape users would eliminate a smoking shack for cigarette smokers.

“We know that roughly 20 percent of our campus population are smokers and make frequent use of our smoking shelters on campus. While vaping on campus has increased to a point where it is noticeable and needs to be addressed, there is a concern that the need for a vape [shack] may not be as high as that of a smoking [shack],” said Mike Jones, SLC legislative affairs.

Another option for vape users would be to renovate a current smoke shack.

“The concern from college council members however is that by renovating a current smoking [shack] we will effectively be reducing the available place for smokers on campus by 20-25 percent when they have effectively done nothing to warrant such a drastic inconvenience. Because of this, administration has no plans to renovate a smoke [shack] into a vape shelter at this time,” said Jones.

There are no signs currently posted on campus regarding vape pen use. College council members consider vape pen use already covered in the pre-existing tobacco and smoking policy already established on campus.

There is not an official plan or proposal made to create any signage stating the policy on vape pens. Administration and faculty have been made aware of the campus policy and have been asked to notify students of this if they are observed using vaping products on campus in a non designated area.

Vape Pen Debate at Linn-Benton

Over the winter break a new policy was implemented at Linn-Benton. Students and faculty are no longer allowed to use vape pens on campus.

“From the College side of this argument, and I have observed this first hand, Vape users are disruptive to classroom, study, and culinary environments,” said Bruce Thompson, safety and loss prevention.

Currently Oregon State University, University of Oregon, Lane Community College, and Chemeketa Community College prohibit the use of vape pens on campus.

“I don’t think vape pens need to be treated like cigarettes as far as having a designated vaping area,” said previous student Johnie Stiltner.

Vape pens are to be used at the designated smoke shacks located around campus by McKenzie Hall, Takena Hall, English Language & Culture Institute, Luckiamute Center, and behind the service building.

“I do not like being forced to use the smoking area because the smell of cigarettes makes me nauseous,” said student Dennis Hill.

The use of vape pens is considered to be a healthier alternative over tobacco cigarette smoking according to many retailers, however considering that they are a new product there is little evidence proving a “healthy” alternative.

“To me vape pens are trading one evil for another,” said SLC President Adelaine Carter.  

Vaporizers use water, e-liquids, or juices that are made up of four ingredients: Propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, food-grade flavors, and the optional nicotine.

“Smokeless does not mean harmless,” said Chareane Wimbley-Gouveia, Learning Center coordinator.

The debate of whether vaping is cleaner for you and the environment because it does not emit second-hand smoke or nasty smells continues.

“The smell is barely there when someone uses a vape pen compared to cigarettes,” said student Christie Gangewer.

Currently the FDA does not regulate vape pens, according to vaporizer-pen.org. There are no laws with regards to the materials and ingredients that must be used in production of vape pens. It is also said that the odds of vaporizers helping you quit smoking overnight are very low.

There have been cases of users being allergic to one of the ingredients in e-liquids called Propylene Glycol.

“I think vape pens are a cool tool for people who like to use them and are way less invasive than cigarettes,” said student Kamran Ahmed Mirza.

Overall vape pens are legal and a consenting adult can engage in their use.

“Vape pens are a personal choice,” said student Nikki Ponce.