Camosun College keeps an eye on e-cigarette usage on campus

Insufficient research regarding the safety of electronic cigarettes (or e-cigs) has major cities across Canada, including Vancouver and Toronto, considering a ban on their use in public.

The lack of laws preventing e-cigs from being sold to minors creates concerns that they will encourage smoking among youth.

Unknown health risks also have governments and institutions taking preventative measures regarding e-cig usage.

With 16 percent of the Canadian population reporting that they have tried e-cigs, and their use increasing within the student body, it was time for Camosun College to address the issue as well.

Until statistics are provided on the safety of the vaporizers, the college uses its common sense when creating rules and regulations regarding its responsibility to maintain clean air quality for students and faculty, according to staff.

The use of e-cigs is prohibited inside all buildings on campus, and users must be seven metres away from any building entrances and ventilation vents.

“We will continue to monitor the use of e-cigarettes,” says Brian Calvert, associate director of Facilities Services at Camosun. “If there are any changes to legislation or other concerns, we will respond accordingly.”

The e-cig is an appealing choice for some college students; its scentless nicotine delivery system, the appealing flavours, and the fact that they can be used outside of some designated smoking areas, make the e-cig a more favourable, modern route of smoking cessation.

“After many attempts, I was unable to stop smoking without feeling like I was losing my sanity,” says second-year University Transfer student Sarah Winger. “When I tried the vaporizerÉ the previous anxiety I had experienced was non-existent. What I appreciated about smoking was substituted, and without consequence.”

Unfortunately, not all smokers have had success quitting smoking using the e-cig. Kerstin Ogloff, a student smoker on campus taking prerequisites for Family and Child Studies, says that the electronic cigarette simply offers her an occasional replacement for smoking, prolonging the habit. She adds that e-cigs are more convenient between classes, as you don’t need to go to a designated area to smoke them.

“I’ve tried to quit and didn’t notice the e-cig having an effect on my smoking. It’s convenient for when I can’t smoke between classes, or at a friend’s house who doesn’t smoke, but it’s not something I use regularly.”

Second-year University Transfer student Sultan Azizi also says that e-cigs haven’t been able to curb cigarette cravings.

“At first, it felt like it was working, but slowly the cigarette cravings came back,” says Azizi. “I felt that the e-smoke wasn’t as satisfying or as strong, even on its highest setting.”

E-cigs have been proven to contain a small fraction, if any, of the toxins and carcinogens found in conventional cigarettes, but the long-term effects of inhaling vegetable glycerin, a main component of e-cig “juice,” are unknown. It’s also unclear whether minute metal particles from the heating element are able to travel deep into the lungs.

Concerns also lie with products manufactured overseas, as they may contain harmful ingredients.