By Nicole Diseker
As of Jan. 1, the ban on tobacco products on state property in Oklahoma now includes electronic cigarettes. The executive order was signed by Governor Mary Fallin on Dec. 23, 2013.
In 2012, Governor Fallin gave the executive order prohibiting the use of all tobacco products on state property. A few months after, the same order was applied to SE’s campus.
“That wasn’t really tightened up until Governor Fallin decided to be a bit more specific,” said Dean Wilson.
The executive order prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices on state property applies to every person on all properties owned, leased or contracted for use by the State of Oklahoma, to include both indoor and outdoor locations.
According to http://homepages.se.edu/setobaccofree, since the ban on tobacco ban on state property, the availability and use of e-cigarettes and vapor devices have increased in Oklahoma, which raises new concerns about the potential long-term health risks for individuals exposed to the vapor. The e-cigarettes release vapor that has chemicals that impact both the smokers and those around them.
According to Governor Fallin, research has shown that the vapor is not just water vapor. E-cigarettes and vapor products still release nicotine and toxic chemicals into the air.
According to the press release email received by SE students and faculty on Jan. 13, the reasoning behind this decision was the protection of state employees and visitors.
“It’s about perception, because the mandate was sent down from Governor Fallin, her statement is: we’re banning both types of cigarette because they look the same from a distance,” said Wilson. “They release a vapor that looks like smoke, which creates confusion for employees and visitors and presents enforcement challenges for state agencies.”
“I think it’s much like any other policy enforcement around campus. Part of the problem is not knowing policy, the other part is enforcing policy. Our police force isn’t large enough to enforce that level of policy, so it’s really about self-restraint, self-protection.
“What I say to students, more often than not, is that there’s going to be tobacco use and there’s going to be tobacco misuse, and that goes for e-cigarettes,” said Wilson. “All I want them to do is recognize that there’s policy. Don’t say you didn’t know, because you do. We’re sending things out and the media is presenting it. When you come to this college you know it’s not allowed.”
“We all have rules to play by, and when we come to school we play by those rules, and that’s fair,” said Wilson.
Wilson said that students and faculty have the freedom to leave the campus to go smoke. They handle their addiction by smoking away from campus.
Student Health Services offers information on quitting smoking both online and in person. The counseling center, located in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union, Suite 200, offers both group counseling and one-on-one sessions for people who would like help with quitting smoking.
For further information on the ban, visit http://homepages.se.edu/student-health/.
Info on counseling services can be found at http://www.se.edu/dept/counseling-center/, and http://issue.sh101digital.com/showmag.php?mid=pgfdf#/page16/