Vaping Crisis Highlights Why UCF is a Smoke-free Campus

With new smoking methods on the rise, it’s important to remind students, staff and faculty that UCF remains a smoke-free campus — a policy that applies to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

E-cigarette smoking is increasing drastically among youth and young adults ages 18 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Interview Survey. Recent vaping-related illnesses and at least six vaping deaths have led to federal investigations and calls for banning certain e-cigarettes.

UCF became a smoke-free campus in 2012 to promote the health and comfort of the university community and its guests. This decision was also made in light of scientific evidence that links smoking and second-hand smoke to cancer and other diseases.

Smoking is not allowed at any university location, including parking lots and sporting venues like Spectrum Stadium.

The policy includes vape pens, Juuls and other vaping products that contain tobacco, nicotine or THC.  Smoking is not allowed at any university location, including parking lots and sporting venues like Spectrum Stadium. Smokers can be approached by anyone on the campus and asked to put out their cigarettes or leave campus.

Some smokers use e-cigarettes as an alternative to regular cigarettes or to help them quit their tobacco habit. But the CDC warns that a substantial amount of research still must be done on the safety of vaping — and whether it is an effective tool for smoking cessation. It advises non-smokers not to take up the habit, stating that “E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women or adults who do not currently use tobacco products.”

Michael Deichen, associate vice president of UCF Student Health Services, agrees with the CDC’s statements.

“It’s very possible that the recent surge in pulmonary cases related to e-cigarette use and vaping is merely the tip of the iceberg with many more adverse health consequences becoming evident in the coming years,” he says.

UCF offers resources to help smokers quit, including group cessation classes, nicotine replacement therapies and other cessation support resources. For more information, visit ucf.edu/services/s/shs-smoke-free-ucf/.