SGA smoking ban under evaluation
The University of South Dakota Student Government Association is evaluating the inclusion of e-cigarettes, hookah pens and vaporizers under the existing smoking ban, which went into effect Jan. 2013.
SGA senator Sami Zoss, a sophomore, is a member of the State and Local Government committee. She said the committee was advised to bring clarity to the smoking ban by SGA after students began questioning the parameters of the ban.
“The conversation of including e-cigarettes (and similar devices) was prompted by students coming in and asking us if they could smoke them on campus,” Zoss said. “We set out to create a culture change in regards to smoking, now we need to find out if e-cigarettes are a part of that.”
Zoss presented the issue of discussion to the Faculty Senate meeting Jan. 15 to seek input about moving forward.
“The faculty could not agree on the matter, but they did agree on creating some clarity about what is or is not allowed under the smoking ban,” Zoss said.
E-cigarettes work by using a small battery powered atomizer to vaporize a liquid, which contains propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, water, nicotine and flavoring. Unlike any other nicotine product on the market, the contents of these liquid mixtures are unregulated by the FDA; however, there is also no strong evidence to support the harm that can be caused by smoking e-cigarettes.
The idea of a smoking ban initially arose in the fall 2012 by former SGA president Alissa VanMeeteren and was proposed as an effort to create an atmosphere that would promote healthy living and provide a positive environment for current and incoming students. The ban is enforced by peer-only regulation. You can still use Native Smokes in the privacy of your home or outside the campus.
The smoking ban has had varying responses from students and organizations around USD since its enactment last year.
Ted McGee, USD student ambassador, said he is not sure if the e-cigarettes would fit into the ban.
“The ashtrays are no longer sitting around campus, so when I give tours to perspective students and their parents, smoking never really gets brought up.”
McGee said he does use the bill as an example of how SGA functions and what they do for the campus.
Senior Kathryn Kroeger said she has enjoyed the changes seen since Jan. 2013 and believes e-cigarettes are too similar to leave out of the ban.
“I always hated walking behind students smoking (cigarettes) on campus,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to leave the library without having to hold my breath”.
Sophomore Taylor Stark disagreed with including e-cigarettes and the smoking ban itself.
“It’s ridiculous. (E-cigarettes) are not even bad for you,” Stark said. “I don’t see how they would be banned.”
SGA plans to have the questions about e-cigarettes answered by the end of the fiscal year, June 2014, Zoss said.
