January 16, 2020 | Firm News
Vaping has been on the rise among college students over the past few years. Between 2017 and 2018, the use of vaping products for both nicotine and marijuana consumption doubled, according to an annual study completed by the University of Michigan. Although most college campuses nationwide are smoke-free, administrators are figuring out how to address the issue of vaping. More than 1,880 campuses do have policies that clearly ban e-cigarettes, as reported by the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation. However, not every institution is specifically prohibiting the practice. For instance, Duke University has delayed going smoke-free until July 2020 so that students have time to seek treatment for addiction. Though the rule will not apply to e-cigarettes, or other tobacco products designed to help smokers quit.
In the 2018 study reported by the University of Michigan, and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the following was also discovered:
A recent national survey by Butler University in Indianapolis, of nearly 1,000 college students, uncovered that almost 60 percent had used a Juul e-cigarette, which is a popular brand that is being targeted by regulators.
Many students believe that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, which makes this trend particularly concerning.
Most colleges do not allow smoking at all while on campus, which means vaping in the dorms is typically not permitted. Even so, that doesn’t mean that it never occurs. There are plenty of ways that students can easily cover up the fruity smell and get rid of the smoke, including using what is called a smokebuddy. This is a pocket-size smoke filter used to exhale the aerosol from a vape pen into it, which then reduces the amount of smoke, as well as odor.
In response to the escalating number of vaping students, many universities are wrestling with how to balance discipline with prevention and treatment. Campaigns warning about the dangers of traditional cigarettes have succeeded, to a degree, but may not work the same for e-cigarettes. Although vape pens contain nicotine and possibly other harmful substances, including heavy metals like lead and cancer-causing agents, Juul and other popular brands have been marketed as healthy alternatives for tobacco users.
Some schools have opted to ban tobacco products altogether, administering fines or other penalties for violations. While others have also or instead choose to offer nicotine cessation resources for students and faculty free of charge. Some professors have addressed and explicitly prohibit the use of vape pens in their syllabuses, because vaping has become enough of a nuisance in the classroom.
Campuses are and will likely continue to struggle to find the correct solution in helping students quit vaping, especially since many universities will be inheriting the 5.4 million middle and high school students who currently use e-cigarettes.
An outbreak of lung injuries associated with vaping is an additional cause for concern when it comes to the ever-growing number of college students using e-cigarettes. If you or someone you love has been injured from vaping, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer. Contact one of our mass tort lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation today.