Officials Set to Consider E-Cigarette Ban

UWM’s Physical Environment Committee is planning to officially address the growing use of popular electronic cigarette devices this fall. The devices are currently not included in the university’s smoking policy, but a top official says they’re already banned by default.

Walking around the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee campus, you may notice that a large amount of students smoke cigarettes. Every building on campus has its unofficial smoking spots. Whether it’s the Union, Golda Meir, or Sandburg, students decide to participate in an activity that has been the target of extreme criticism.

Better known as e-cigarettes, the battery-powered devices are intended to simulate smoking a tobacco cigarette. Through the use of a heating element, the device vaporizes a flavored liquid. The liquid is commonly composed with a mixture of nicotine and vegetable oil.

The use of e-cigarettes has become somewhat of a phenomenon and one that found its way to UWM. While they are not as common as the traditional cigarette, e-cig use has been steadily growing around campus.

While the current campus smoking policy does not specifically include e-cigarettes under the list of prohibitions, the growing popularity has the PEC has looking into the smoking policy. UWM’s policy follows the guidelines stated in Chapter 18 of the University of Wisconsin System’s conduct on university lands.

The Physical Environment Committee (PEC) maintains the policy and makes any revisions if need be. Currently the policy states: “Smoking shall include the burning of any variety of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or other smoking equipment, whether filled with tobacco or any other type of material.”

The policy also prohibits smoking in all buildings, parking structures, and within 25 feet of all university buildings.

“The UWM policy does not prohibit e-cigarettes but Chapter 18, by virtue of not having a specific definition of “smoking” prohibits the use of e-cigarettes” was the statement issued by Geoffrey F. Hurtado, UWM Associate Vice Chancellor.

Hurtado went on saying: “Absent a definition of an item, the common dictionary definition becomes the official definition. The dictionary defines smoking as anything that emits smoke or vapor.”

“E-cigarettes emit a vapor, making them prohibited under Ch. 18, I will ask the PEC, to revise the policy to include e-cigarettes,” Hurtado concluded.

The PEC is planning to officially address the issue officially in Fall 2014, according to Hurtado.

The most common response given by students as to why they choose to smoke cigarettes is stress relief.

“It helps me clear my head after a long study session or an exam, to me it’s the social aspect that comes with having a cigarette that I enjoy,” said Jordan Moede a Conservation and Environmental Sciences major at UWM. “I understand the risks that come with smoking, but I know that when I truly want to, I can quit. It’s all just a mental game”

In 2009, former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle signed the S.B. 181 (2009 Wisconsin Act 12) an anti-smoking law that took effect on July 5, 2010. Under the bill, smoking areas at indoor locations were no longer permitted, resulting in a complete ban on indoor smoking in public spaces. The bill also prohibits smoking in any public place or place of employment.

The UW-Milwaukee Police Department is responsible for the enforcement of the policy. “On average, two citations are issued each year related to prohibited smoking,” Sgt. Jamie S. Kuenzi of UWM Police said.

The prohibition of cigarettes has led many smokers to search for an alternative option. Recently, electronic cigarettes are being pushed as the best choice.

E-cigarettes currently walk a fine line due emitting vapor instead of smoke. The UWM Police have not issued any citations related to the use of e-cigarettes, Sgt. Kuenzi said. That could change with the PEC planning to look into the policy.