Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp announced this week that he is banning e-cigarettes from all Texas A&M system campuses after the Centers and Disease Control and Prevention found more than 800 cases of lung injury and 12 deaths related to the use of the products or vaping. The chancellor said that the new policy should be implemented “as soon as possible.”
Where the Ban Applies
The ban applies to all students, faculty and staff across the Texas A&M system. This includes 11 system campuses and eight state agencies, including the flagship university in College Station, Texas A&M University-Commerce in North Texas and Tarleton State University. The chancellor said that he wants the ban to include every building, outside space, parking log, lab, and garage within the system. Additionally, it should extend to the system’s research enterprise and all system properties. While the system already bans smoking in most places in the system, the vaping ban is mandatory and will extend to all aspects of the system. He also called for a ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes and vaping materials.
Other Vape Bans
Other Texas universities have placed ban on vaping. The University of Texas System banned vaping and tobacco products in its 14 institutions back in 2017.
Legal Age to Buy Tobacco Products
The Texas Legislature recently passed a law that raised the legal age to purchase tobacco products and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21.
Health Effects of Vaping
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still not sure what is causing the lung injuries and death stemming from vaping that have recently plagued the nation. It did not find that only one manufacturer of the products was responsible for the recent influx in injuries.
Response by Juul
Juul, one of the leading e-cigarette manufacturers, agreed to cease advertising its products as a smoking alternative. Additionally, its representatives reported that it would not stand in the way of the Trump administration’s plan to temporarily ban flavored electronic cigarettes, which are particularly popular with young people. The CEO of Juul recently stepped down from his position after panic ensued regarding the vaping-related deaths and amid threats from federal regulators.
