Dear Mr. Payne,
It has been brought to my attention that proposed Rule R805-5, which seeks to remove smoking from U of U hospitals and clinics also includes electronic cigarettes in with the definition of smoking. This is something which I must protest as it appears to be a decision being made without all the true facts and does not follow the Utah state definition of "Smoking" which is: “the possession of any lighted
tobacco product in any form.”
According to the notice of the proposed rule, the purpose for creating the rule is, "to provide patients, visitors, employees, and students, a smoke-free environment upon their entrance to University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics (UUHC) facilities. Prohibiting smoking within only 25 feet of entrances to UUHC facilities is often insufficient, as patients, visitors, employees, and students would often have to walk through clouds of smoke to get from their parking or drop-off spot to the front doors of the UUHC facility."
I don't know how familiar you are with electronic cigarettes, or if you have ever been around anyone who is using one. If you stop reading here, the one point in regards to the proposed rule I wish to make clear is:
Electronic Cigarettes produce vapor, NOT smoke.
This very vapor is produced through the heating of pharmaceutical Propylene Glycol which as a medical professional I’m sure you are familiar with. This is the VERY same Propylene Glycol found in thousands of over the counter and prescription medicines, sodas and foods consumed every day.
Electronic Cigarettes do not combust; there is no side-stream smoke, they have no carbon monoxide, no foul odor, no butts to discard on the ground and no ashes. The vapor exhaled dissipates in a manner of seconds and cannot be detected by
sense of smell beyond just a few feet (It is also a pleasant perfumed odor). Consumers of the product also do not smell of stale cigarette smoke which is a common complaint amongst non-smoking patients.
Electronic Cigarettes have been proven scientifically to be thousands of times safer than traditional cigarettes by Health New Zealand:
Ecigarette mist harmless, inhaled or exhaled
The University’s own Tobacco Free Campus policy specifically references the Utah Clean Air act which does not in any form recognize nor reference electronic cigarettes.
I have been a personal consumer of electronic cigarette for 6 months and I made the choice to switch to electronic cigarettes after years of frustration and failed attempts at every other method out there. I have not had a single cigarette since the day I made the switch. I had smoked for 24 years, since the tender age of 16. I tried quitting numerous times using every method of medicine on the market including cold turkey. Each time I failed miserably and even had significant side effects from the OTC and prescription methods prescribed by your very own medical professionals.
Mr. Payne, I thank you for your time and the excellent work you and your staff do for the Utah residents at the U of U. However I would like to point out that according to the U of U’s own mission statement:
University of Utah Hospital's goal is to continually improve individual and community health and quality of life through patient care, education, AND research. To accomplish this, the Hospital provides compassionate care without compromise, educates scientists and health care professionals for the future, and engages in research to advance knowledge and well-being.
These VERY products you are trying to ban from your campus’s are nothing short of a miracle for millions of consumers worldwide. Don’t you feel that a product which has this exponential success rate, deserves the scientific research and education that your very own institution was founded upon and receives hundreds of millions of research dollars for?
After pointing out these factual statements, I see no apparent reason for the ban of e-cigarettes which would go along with the stated purpose for creating this proposal. As someone who has been a patient and a visitor of U of U hospitals and clinics, I feel that my input deserves consideration.
I would be happy to talk to you and/or the board regarding this. Please feel free to contact me via email, or by phone at 801-<edit> or if you call in the next 2 weeks, 801-<edit>.
Kind Regards,
Aaron Frazier
West Valley, Utah
