Smoking at College

[Atamis Pirate]

I go to a community College in San Antonio, Texas. I have been vaping through the hallways and in classes for weeks now. All of my professors allow me to vape as long as it doesn't distract, or bother, other students. Although today when I was outside an administrator walks up to me as i'm Vapeing on my 510 unit and tells me, before I can even respond, that she understands what it is and that it isn't a 'real' cigarette, but that it's the perception given off by it. She said that she could have me suspended for creating a 'distraction' at school.

Although I understand why she said that I don't believe that it's up to the admin to decide what can go on inside of a college class room. Any advice?

 

[Liv2Ski]

Well if she has a bug up her ... then I would be careful. While you can make a stand I am not certain you will win if they have a no smoking policy. Vaping is still relatively new and there are many anti smoking nazis out there who detest anything that looks like smoking. Being in admin she has access to people that can quickly change policy and overide a prof and not allow any vaping on campus. I would just keep low profile if were in your shoes.

 

[5cardstud]

When in Rome do as the Romans. Whoever makes the rules whether you like them or not you should follow them. That's what gives vaping a bad name. I know it's safe as do you but to the unfamiliar it looks like smoking.

 

[proax9]

Well if she has a bug up her ... then I would be careful. While you can make a stand I am not certain you will win if they have a no smoking policy. Vaping is still relatively new and there are many anti smoking nazis out there who detest anything that looks like smoking. Being in admin she has access to people that can quickly change policy and overide a prof and not allow any vaping on campus. I would just keep low profile if were in your shoes.

+1 for the above

 

[VapingRulz]

I agree with keeping a low profile but if you hear rumors of an outright ban I'd suggest that you bring the vaping issue to the attention of your Student Government Association. The SGA often has quite a bit of power on a college campus; they have a lot of money. If you can get them to understand the facts - the clear distinction between smoking and vaping - it may be worthwhile.

 

[MiXoLoGiSt]

I agree with keeping a low profile but if you hear rumors of an outright ban I'd suggest that you bring the vaping issue to the attention of your Student Government Association. The SGA often has quite a bit of power on a college campus; they have a lot of money. If you can get them to understand the facts - the clear distinction between smoking and vaping - it may be worthwhile.

My name is MiXoLoGiSt and I approve this message! LOL

 

[ChaosAffect]

My school's non-smoking too, but I stealth vape all the time. Operative term there being 'Stealth'. While you might win the battle, you'd lose the war. A college doesn't have to follow the same procedures that a municipality does, and all it takes is one PO'd admin to get them to include a proviso in the no-smoking policy to include ecigs, then you've gone and ruined it for everyone else. Just keep on the DL and everything will be fine.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

Are you that addicted to nicotine that you can't be in class for an hour or so without smoking/vaping? You didn't smoke regular cigarettes in class, I'm sure you can control yourself. They don't belong in a classroom, it's not your house, it's school! I can't believe I just read this lmao...

 

[ChaosAffect]

Well, that's your opinion. In my view if I'm not disturbing anyone, being discrete about it, there's no reason why I shouldn't vape wherever I want. It's NOT smoking a cigarette, it's shouldn't even be considered to be in the same category as smoking a cigarette, and that mindset is what helps these bans along.

Are you that addicted to nicotine that you can't be in class for an hour or so without smoking/vaping? You didn't smoke regular cigarettes in class, I'm sure you can control yourself. They don't belong in a classroom, it's not your house, it's school! I can't believe I just read this lmao...

 

[BardicDruid]

As a former SAC student, they do know what an e-cig is and you can be suspended for vaping in the buildings, in ACCD it's been lumped in with cigarettes. So you have to follow the smoking rules or face what happens.

 

[ChaosAffect]

So the moral of that story is, make sure you're aware of the regulations at your particular school. Then, once you know that it's kosher be discrete so it STAYS kosher.

As a former SAC student, they do know what an e-cig is and you can be suspended for vaping in the buildings, in ACCD it's been lumped in with cigarettes. So you have to follow the smoking rules or face what happens.

 

[Baldr]

The original post is confusing. He talks about vaping in the classroom, and should the school admin be able to make rules about vaping in the classroom, but he says he was approached when he was vaping outside.

I can certainly see saying "No vaping in the classroom". But outside? I think a "No vaping anywhere on campus" rule is unreasonable.

 

[ChaosAffect]

It is, as are all public vape bans, BUT... It always comes down to the perception. People have been so (rightly) indoctrinated against cigarettes that anything that even resembles one is going to cause some consternation.

I really wish eCigs had come around a decade earlier. If they started in the mid 90's, before all these public smoking bans really got going, then they'd have had time to establish an identity of their own. As it is now we've got to fight tooth and nail to keep or Right to Vape, and being confrontational about it isn't the way.

The original post is confusing. He talks about vaping in the classroom, and should the school admin be able to make rules about vaping in the classroom, but he says he was approached when he was vaping outside.

I can certainly see saying "No vaping in the classroom". But outside? I think a "No vaping anywhere on campus" rule is unreasonable.

 

[steve321]

Just vape in the bathroom between classes...

 

[ec!gg]

Just vape in the bathroom between classes...

I agree, this would probably be your safest bet.

 

[Atamis Pirate]

Thanks everybody for the advice. I'll just stealth vape from now on...

 

[zerominusone]

You should've punched her in the throat and told her to mind her own buisness 'cuz you ain't hurtin' nobody.

 

[kpms0n]

You should've punched her in the throat and told her to mind her own buisness 'cuz you ain't hurtin' nobody.

But technically you would have hurt someone....the ADMIN LOL!

 

[badunkamunk]

very odd. Well i do the same thing at my school and have spoke to administrators, professors, security, and even the librarians. They have all approved of me vaping and wished more smokers on campus would take it on. This is because cigarettes cause alot of litter around. So im thinking that your campus believes that if others see you vaping outside that it may be misinterpreted as smoking. So analog smokers may think that it is alright to smoke where you are vaping. Indoors would be obvious that smoking is not allowed. Also in the library, hallways, and classrooms. So you vaping in those areas are a given that you are using an e-cig. But doing this outside in areas where smoking is prohibited could be mistaken as smoking and give the impression that smoking is allowed in those areas.

This, I believe is their concern.

 

[badunkamunk]

But technically you would have hurt someone....the ADMIN LOL!

I think this could give us all a bad name! I could see the headline in your school newspaper now. "violent confrontation over e-cigs" -exclusive eye wittiness accounts. Student under criminal investigation.... Come on guys. Things can be handled with words.