Up in Smoke

Health concerns won’t eVAPEorate

MARC BLAIS Reporter @TheRoundupNews

Don’t let vaping cloud your judgment, it might not be safer than smoking.

Director of the Student Health Center Beth Benne said she is worried about vaping due to the lack of oversight in the industry.

“It concerned me and all of my peers because it’s so unregulated. As a health professional, it’s very scary,” Benne said. “To find out now that people are dying from the flavors, and all the ads are focusing on this age group and younger.”

While the tobacco industry is in decline, the vaping industry is thriving, with nearly 19.3 billion dollars in sales, according to the BBC.

The American College Health Association stated that 80% of college students believe they have seen their friends or other students vaping.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 12 deaths and 805 cases of lung illness related to vaping across the country.

Nursing student Andre Lin thinks the best way to reduce vaping on campus is through awareness.

“In terms of reducing it, I guess having more staff and security being mindful and watching people,” Lin said. “It’s really hard because it is such an open campus and there are a lot of people here.”Benne said that vaping isn’t the only problem on campus.

“I walk the campus, I see cigarettes everywhere,” Benne said. “We have a tobacco regulation that is not enforced.”

There are designated smoking areas on campus for students.