Emailing my university to ask about e-cigs

[Stormlark]

My university has a ban on smoking which includes smoking in your car and in remote areas near the river. I've read all their policies and electronic cigarettes are not mentioned. The city ordinances, however, do state that electronic cigarettes are not included in their smoking ban. I'm just not sure if the university's policy is the same as the city's.

Classes begin in about a week and I'm considering emailing the person in charge of the smoking ban to ask about e-cigs. The problem is, I don't know how much information to give or what to say. I don't want the email to be long-winded, but I also don't want to give the wrong impression on what vaping is and how it works. Does anyone have any tips on what topics to cover while keeping it short and simple?


(I have to leave for work in a few minutes but I'll be back to check on this thread in a couple of hours)

 

[AttyPops]

Note that they don't present a fire hazard.

Yeah.. that ban will work... Your own car, huh?

 

[HappyTimeHarry]

I wouldn't call them e-cigarettes. Maybe just call them personal vaporizers (although, thinking back to my college days, that might be worse ) Make sure you point out that it is just liquified nicotine that you're vaping with no tar or carcinogens.

 

[Jetmec]

If you don't think you will like the answer; don't ask the question.

 

[donnah]

I wouldn't even ask them! They won't know if you do it in your room and how can they tell you that you can't vape in your own car!! My daughter goes to unc asheville in NC.. the students just go outside and sit and smoke. Like jetmec said above, you may not like the answer!

 

[JENerationX]

I wouldn't bring it to their attention that e-cigs aren't covered in the ban. It'll give them the opportunity to add it.

 

[Myk]

I wouldn't call them e-cigarettes. Maybe just call them personal vaporizers (although, thinking back to my college days, that might be worse ) Make sure you point out that it is just liquified nicotine that you're vaping with no tar or carcinogens.

Calling them personal vibrators will assure they have no idea what you're walking about.

 

[AlmityPunx]

Calling them personal vibrators will assure they have no idea what you're walking about.

haha Freudian slip?

i would recommend just stealth-vaping and not making a big fuss about it. if they say something then bring it to their attention and state it is NOT a cigarette. easier to ask for forgiveness than permission

 

[Stormlark]

If I ask and they say "no," I can still be sneaky about it and no one's the wiser. If they say "yes," the policy might be updated and open up vaping to students too afraid to use them on campus or even motivate current smokers to switch to e-cigs so they can get their nicotine at school.

It takes three written warnings before a student is fined for smoking. If they refuse to allow e-cigs, I can just stealth vape and if I'm caught once or twice I'd still be fine.

(there's over 20,000 students on my campus, btw... it's not like they'd keep track of who emailed them to ask permission)

 

[macgyverfc]

It takes three written warnings before a student is fined for smoking.

It's been a while since I've attended any college, but, fined? When did college become a country club?
I would just not say anything. If they say something to you, then explain what it is without calling it an e-cig. Don't even get the word cigarette in there. It's nicotine replacement therapy. Same as the patch/gum/pills/etc. Honestly, I'd be more concerned with kids drinking themselves into a coma, or, getting inebriated and trying to drive. Hell, I'm more concerned with people texting and driving than I am with someone who is smoking.

 

[zuzette]

if you feel you must write include a copy of the local city code. it sets a pecident for the legality of the thing.