(Florida) First ban on College Campus

[leannebug]

I googled my state for bans and ran across this article.

They have passed a campus ban, on July 1st, at the University of Florida and included ecigs. The article states that UF is the first Florida campus to be completely 'tobacco free'.

U. Florida creates campus-wide smoking ban|UWIRE

 

[Vocalek]

At first I was concerned, when I read the part about it applying to anyone, including visitors and even in their vehicles. And then I got to this part.

Although UF instilled its tobacco ban with a hopeful outlook, it is too soon to tell how the campus will react. Those caught using tobacco products on campus will be reminded of the University’s policy and advised to stop. Repeated, blatant disregard of the policy could lead to disciplinary action from the Dean of Students Office.

“I’m not too worried about it,” said a UF junior, Stephen Leshko, who chews tobacco. “It’s not like they’re going to catch me or make me stop.”

The effect of a rule is directly related to the ability of the rulers to enforce that rule.

Aside: I have to wonder whether they consider a patch, Commit, or Nicorette to be "tobacco."

 

[DemonCowboy]

well e-cig users could also argue that it's not tobacco at all - perhaps even suggest that their nicotine might very well have come from tomato leaves and ask if there's a tomato ban in effect.

too bad i don't have the resources to get there...lol i'd have fun forcing the confrontation.

yeah, i really do need to find some beta carbolines for my juice...lol but injustice and idiocy are a couple of my pet peeves.

 

[leannebug]

It concerns me that they keep adding ecigs into all of these bans. And that they continually base their 'information' on those poorly substantiated reports, from over a year ago (by the FDA). Appearantly, no one has even bothered to give this any more thought and are just blindly going on what was first told to them.

I also noted that the other schools would "like" to do the same. That forbodes of future bans throughout the state. This one snuck in very quickly. Of course, it was done during the school summer season, so we shall have to see how students react when they return for the fall session.

I remember my teenage and college years quite well, I was quite an activist, and very passionate about those topics I belived in.. .perhaps we can hope for the same thing (in this situation)

 

[kristin]

Considering the average age of a vaper is 30-50 years old, this is more likely to affect the faculty more than the students.

 

[ezmoose]

I'm college edge-u-ma-kated myself; fortunately, I retained most of my common sense! lol

 

[leannebug]

Considering the average age of a vaper is 30-50 years old, this is more likely to affect the faculty more than the students.

Very true, I didn't think of that.

However, considering the electronices aspect of ecigs, they may appeal to more of the younger crowd than we know. I was introduced to them by my son's friend (19).

What I really don't like (as noted by Vocal) is that they want to ban the use ANYWHERE on campus. Using something legal, on or in your own personal property (ie: car, house) and having THAT banned, enfringes on personal rights. IMHO

 

[KDK]

I so agree! If we can't use legal products in our own homes/ cars, etc are they really legal? What the hell is going on!!!! This country is going insane.

 

[rothenbj]

The Independent Florida Alligator: News - Smokers still smoking

 

[Vocalek]

Yikes! Did you read the comment?

If you are black on campus, UPD will find an excuse to shoot you in the face for smoking.

 

[jigtg]

Certainly sheds new light at the level of scientific integrity at the university of Florida.

 

[J-ShaZzle]

My campus went smoking free 2 semesters ago. Pretty much just a "Put it out or you get a fine". No smoking on campus or in cars. The reason being is because campuses will loose state or federal funding...something along those lines. Seriously? Why the no smoking in vehicles?

I am concerned that I won't be allowed to vape my e-cig. So the first day of classes (Aug 1st) I will be getting a copy of the ban (rules/regulations). If I see nothing about e-cigs then I'm going to vape on campus. I will not be bringing this up to the security or those in charge. I feel as if I mention my use of e-cigs then a new draft of rules will be issued to include e-cigs. If stopped by security, I will simply hand them the rules/regulations and tell them how what I am doing is not part of the ban. Only if e-cigs aren't banned already.

I believe this semester is when they will be heavily enforcing the ban on smoking. So no more warnings, but instead tickets. I believe the cost is over $50 for the first time and go into the hundreds if caught multiple times. This costly ticket is also coming from a school who tickets anyone and everyone $30-$100 for parking in wrong spots. YET, they don't have adequate parking ANYWHERE. Instead they advise students to arrive almost a hour before their classes start and drive around like maniacs to find a parking spot.

I'm getting a real good college education of how those in charge do their dirty work. Money and more money please. Makes the world go round....

 

[darkling56]

I honestly believe the biggest problems with how PVs are viewed by the uninformed public is the name "ecigarette." If the devices we are using were called something else, then it would avoid the negative connotation associated with "cigarettes."

We need to start an industry wide rename drive. What do yall think?

 

[Kimmy]

My campus is "99%" smoke free campus. You can smoke in cars and in one designated area in the parking lot. I used my ecig in a particular class all semester long. Of course it was a Deviance 1 class...so my professor loved it. I even used it as the topic of my paper guidelines were..."Break a norm, don't get arrested" I used it in various places people wouldn't expect to see "smoke" and watched their reactions. My favorite reaction was when I used it at the gas station and my pump was shut off.

I think this upcoming semester though I'm going to keep it on the downlow...I really don't want ecigs to get a bad rap or have people offended by the cinnamon roll scented "smoke"....

 

[leannebug]

The Independent Florida Alligator: News - Smokers still smoking

I'm not surprised that there hasn't been a problem (yet). Once the fall session starts is when they may see some opposition. What is really odd is; how do they expect to control the use of snuff? Out of all the tobacco products, that one has got to be the hardest to recognize and control.

Yikes! Did you read the comment?

Yes I did.. Must be a sore spot at the school. Perhaps they have had previous issues...?

I honestly believe the biggest problems with how PVs are viewed by the uninformed public is the name "ecigarette." If the devices we are using were called something else, then it would avoid the negative connotation associated with "cigarettes."

We need to start an industry wide rename drive. What do yall think?

They are called PV's.. but I think that sounds too much like the "other" kind of vaporizer.

 

[BradSmith]

Certainly sheds new light at the level of scientific integrity at the university of Florida.

That is a very good point!!

 

[TropicalBob]

UF is NOT the first Florida campus to go tobacco free. My wife works at Edison State College and it went tobacco-free last year. Not "No Smoking". But no snus, no dissolvables, no nasal snuff and NO E-CIGS. E-cigs were an early question, since the college president knows me well and my use of them (my wife works for the president there).

Mark this as my very strong opinion held now for two years: When the final domino falls on e-smoking or vaping or whatever, it will have the word APPEARANCE written on it. Can you tell a vaper from a smoker at 100 feet? If you can't, vaping is banned. (Course, the hatred for all things tobacco goes much further; but, fact is, I regularly chat with the college President while dissolving a Stonewall in my mouth -- she can't tell. I use either a snus portion or Stonewall every minute I'm awake.)

The Edison ban is total, including cars in the parking lot, etc. No workers, no visitors, students or faculty can use any form of tobacco.

Sadly, we all fought to be recognized as a TOBACCO PRODUCT. Now we pay the price .. These bans will only spread; reason and science cannot trump appearance, and doesn't need to.

 

[rothenbj]

UF is NOT the first Florida campus to go tobacco free. My wife works at Edison State College and it went tobacco-free last year. Not "No Smoking". But no snus, no dissolvables, no nasal snuff and NO E-CIGS. E-cigs were an early question, since the college president knows me well and my use of them (my wife works for the president there).

Mark this as my very strong opinion held now for two years: When the final domino falls on e-smoking or vaping or whatever, it will have the word APPEARANCE written on it. Can you tell a vaper from a smoker at 100 feet? If you can't, vaping is banned. (Course, the hatred for all things tobacco goes much further; but, fact is, I regularly chat with the college President while dissolving a Stonewall in my mouth -- she can't tell. I use either a snus portion or Stonewall every minute I'm awake.)

The Edison ban is total, including cars in the parking lot, etc. No workers, no visitors, students or faculty can use any form of tobacco.

Sadly, we all fought to be recognized as a TOBACCO PRODUCT. Now we pay the price .. These bans will only spread; reason and science cannot trump appearance, and doesn't need to.

TB, it wouldn't matter what we fought for. If it was a pharma product, maybe $100m and 10 years would have made available an under powered, under nicotined and overpriced product. As a nic product, they'll overtax as OTP. They are starting to ban and maybe tax based on appearance. Prohibition is upon us, but it'll never be truly prohibited. You'll -either pay the extortion, er tax, to the government or feed the new growth industry- the criminal system.

On a more pleasant note, stonewalls,orbs snus and the like are so invisible it's hard to control in bans.

 

[Vocalek]

How much time until the Columbian Cartels take over?

 

[TropicalBob]

Rothenbj: I went to a party at the tobacco-free college not long ago, and had a long, pleasant converation with the campus President over some sangria punch -- with a snus in my mouth all the time (I'm almost never without one).