Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigs, were first introduced into the U.S. in 2007, are an alternative to smoking, and act as a simulator for cigarettes and cigars.
Using an e-cig is called “vaping” rather than smoking.
In the state of Texas, a person purchasing an e-cig must be above the age of 18 in order to buy one. The price range can be anywhere from $20 to $100.
“I don’t see why it’s eighteen because the law for being eighteen is for purchasing tobacco products,” senior Chris Regalado said.
The way an e-cig works is different compared to regular cigarettes.
“You get the juice and once you put it in, you hold the power button and you suck in and what it does is it takes that juice and it turns it into water vapor and that’s what you breathe in,” senior Christopher Muyshondt said.
Although there are some liquid solutions that contain nicotine, there are others that can be purchased that release a flavored vapor without nicotine.
The two terms e-cigarettes and a personal vaporizer are often used interchangeably, however, there are a slight difference between the two. An e-cigarette normally uses a liquid containing propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, known as e-juice. A vaporizer can use the same, but is designed to be able to also work with other substances such as oils.
A major concern is that they aren’t being used for their original purpose, to help users kick the cigarette habit, and are instead being used recreationally, sometimes with nicotine and some people even use them for illegal drugs like marijuana.
“I’m mostly annoyed because they aren’t being used for the right reason, which is to kick a smoking habit,” senior Lindsay Winters said.
It hasn’t been determined yet whether e-cigs actually are an effective way to help tobacco users quit smoking. The nicotine in the cartridges is addictive and when people stop using it, they can feel restless and anxious, like they would without a real cigarette.
It can also be dangerous for people with heart problems and may harm users’ arteries over time. However, scientific evidence suggests that e-cigarettes may be safer than regular cigarettes.
A recent study done by the National Youth Tobacco Survey found that the use of electronic cigarettes has doubled among middle and high school students from 2011 to 2012.
Due to increasing popularity, the AISD board banned e-cigarettes from being used by students and teachers at school-related or school-sanctioned activities on and off campus.
The campus extends from Slaughter to Wolftrap, and since Bethany Lutheran Church allows students to park in the parking lot, it is considered an extension of school property.
“E-cigs are to be treated the same way as regular cigarettes,” assistant principal Larry Britton said.
A student caught violating these rules will be given a suspension.
“It’s kind of stupid because the law says no tobacco and there’s no tobacco in these,” Regalado said.
The popularity of e-cigs has increased due to the differences between electronic cigarettes, also known as “smokeless cigarettes”, and regular ones.
“They’re easily concealed, you can smoke them inside, and you can’t really smell them, you just smell the flavors,” Muyshondt said.
In contrast, for some people it’s often times an annoyance to smell e-cigs being used in public places.
“E-cigs come in an abundance of flavors, which entices kids to buy them and smoke them wherever they please,” Winters said. “I’m sick of smelling ‘roasted marshmallow’ or ‘swirly pop’ flavored smoke while I’m in a movie theater or a restaurant.”
Many e-cig users enjoy the visual appeal of the smoke as well as the flavor.
“You can do a lot of tricks with the smoke and it looks cool,” Regalado said.
In contrast, there are people who don’t care much for the visual aspect.
“I mostly see kids smoking them and trying to look ‘cool’ and ‘dangerous’ but there’s nothing visually dangerous about e-cigs,” Winters said.