DSC Tobacco Policy smoke, mirrors

Joyce Wagner
In Motion Staff Writer

Numerous signs greet faculty, staff, students, and visitors as they arrive on any Daytona State College campus, letting them know DSC is now tobacco free. Policy 7.16, which went into effect August 1, 2013, was voted into existence at the April 18, 2013 Board of Trustees meeting. It prohibits the use of tobacco on any DSC properties, except while inside a privately owned vehicle.

While the majority of tobacco users are honoring the new policy, a walk around campus shows there are those who think the policy doesn’t apply to them, even blatantly smoking cigarettes in front of the ‘No Smoking’ signs. Of course, they might think twice if there were some kind of consequence to go along with their actions. The Board decided this to be an area the students could police themselves. With nothing at stake if they break the rules, what incentive do they have to comply? Right now it’s a scattering of people opting to light up or use snuff. Unfortunately, it’s a matter of time before others also give in to temptation. A quick and simple solution is to implement disciplinary measures with increasing severity to deter such behavior. Of course of this type of action needs to be decided upon by the Board. According to Policy 7.16, “the President may adopt procedures to implement the tobacco free policy.” In other words, it can be enforced.

DSC has made great strides in making their campuses clean, safe, and healthy. Going tobacco free is a large part of this. Each spring, the No Butts club, with help from the Volusia County Health Department and other volunteers, hosts a Cigarette Butt Pick-Up Day in conjunction with Earth Day, 15,000 butts were collected from just the Daytona campus this past spring. The amount is staggering. Enforcing the tobacco ban would reduce the numbers significantly. It would also reduce exposure to second- and third-hand smoke which was a driving force in passing Policy 7.16.

Another aspect that needs to be addressed is electronic cigarettes, better know as e-cigarettes. Because they do not contain tobacco, they are allowed outside on DSC campuses. No conclusive data have shown these devices aid in quitting the nicotine habit. In fact, some studies actually suggest it encourages continued and beginner use. ‘Vaping’, as it is often called, is when the user takes a puff on the end of the e-cigarette tube. A battery inside the tube heats up the nicotine creating a vapor which is then inhaled. This gives the sensation of smoke in the mouth and lungs without actually smoking. Proponents of the e-cigarettes argue that it is a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes. Right now, there is no agency or regulations overseeing this product and how it’s manufactured. Propylene glycol is mixed with water in order to dissolve the liquid nicotine. This is the basic mixture of an e-cigarette. Flavoring and other chemicals are then added. Without regulations and scientific data, there is no way to be sure what chemicals are released into the air with the water vapor. What is known so far, is that the cheaper brands have been found to contain a larger quantity of dangerous chemicals.

Hopefully, when the Board of Trustees meet next, they will address concerns regarding people who are ignoring the tobacco ban and also the use of e-cigarettes on DSC properties. Policy 7.16 was written and passed so faculty, staff, students, and visitors would not be exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco. An amendment could enforce the current tobacco ban; and perhaps put the same restrictions on e-cigarettes which contain numerous harmful chemicals which are likely emitted through the vapors.