Nov. 9, 2015
Abbie Stillman
[email protected]
Whether through clouds or smoke, some students are able to get their nicotine fix through a variety of methods.
According to the campus Smoking and Tobacco Policy, which was revised in January, an e-cigarette is defined as “a devise containing nicotine-based liquid that is vaporized and inhaled, used to simulate the experience of smoking tobacco.”
E-cigarettes were first created in 1963 by Herbert A. Gilbert, according to onvaping.com. There are various types of e-cigarettes people can choose from such as e-cigarettes, vape pens, two mod (module), box mod and more.
There are rules surrounding e-cigarettes on campus.
Vaping is not allowed indoors, and those who do vape are required to use the use them in the designated smoking areas around campus.
Sophomore psychology major Benjamin Graf said he used to smoke up to a pack or more of cigarettes a day before switching to an e-cigarette.
“My endurance and mood have changed sharply. Just vaping at a low nicotine level I have found that I can do physical activities without stopping to catch my breath.”
He said that many people use e-cigarettes as a tool to wean themselves off cigarettes.
“If you are willing to quit cigarettes I absolutely recommend it. The switch is really hard though and you have to find an appliance that fits your needs,” Graf suggested.
According to Brian McPike, executive director of Public Safety, students vaping indoors is not a big issue.
“I did have one occasion where a student was vaping on campus, I just asked him to go ahead vape outside instead and he obliged,” said McPike.
McPike said there have been no complaints about students vaping in dorms or classrooms, and added that more and more people are vaping as opposed to using cigarettes.
“I have seen people smoking e-cigarettes in Columbine,” said English major Katherine Parra, who added that she has seen about as many people smoke cigarettes as people who are vaping.
Graf explained there is a significant cost different between cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
“Cigarettes can slowly drain your money and it gets exponentially worse for your wallet as you begin to smoke more and more, if you smoke as much as I did you’ll find yourself spending roughly $100 a month on cigarettes.”
Graf prefers the vape he uses as the delivery method, and added it can be difficult to keep from smoking if someone does not have their vape with them.
“I will find a way to get a cigarette. I know it is against ‘not smoking’ but the withdrawal symptoms are so undesirable.”
Graf tried to quit smoking cold turkey.
“I tried vaping and it has worked way better than I expected. I have found with vaping I am usually OK all day,” Graf said.