Summer is over and I’m officially back in classes at Pulaski. My focus this year will be law studies because I want to be a lawyer when I grow up. Because of my love of the law, I want to take this opportunity to tell my fellow students and teachers about a new school policy that takes effect this year. The ban of e-cigarettes on school property.
It’s because of e-cigarettes addictive qualities that Pulaski, as well as many other Milwaukee Public Schools have made a small change to their tobacco-free school policy to include e-cigarettes. The change, which will prohibit the use of e-cigarette on school grounds, will have a big impact on the health of students and staff.
As a part of FACT, Wisconsin youth tobacco prevention program, I’ve learned a lot over the summer about how nasty these products are and how the use of e-cigarettes has more than doubled among kids my age. The flavors, such as gummy bear, grape and chocolate, have made these products more appealing to youth.
FACT members learned about new research which has shown that the aerosol from e-cigarettes can contain metals like tin, chromium, and nickel. I know I don’t want that stuff in my lungs.
I can’t thank MPS enough for implementing the ban. Even though e-cigarettes emit vapors, it has now been proven this product is not safe. Although my school’s new e-cigarette policy may not stop all kids from using this harmful product, the future lawyer in me feels obligated to help keep fellow students and faculty from being exposed to this dangerous product.
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Could you please direct me to any study and/or article that has linked the use of e-cigarettes with an ailment in humans? I would be satisfied even with something as simple as a nasty cough directly induced by the “tin, chromium, and nickel” found in these terrible, ungodly “dangerous products”.
Before believing everything that the government agencies publish about e-cigs (let me remind you, this is the same government whose officials are funded literally millions of dollars each year from Big Tobacco companies), why not think this whole thing all the way through.
Ever read any studies about how electronic cigarettes help people quit using traditional tobacco products? Google it. You’ll find a lot, trust me. Now compare that to the number of reputable sources that cite e-cigs as the chief cause of any ailments in humans (try to avoid anyone government related. Remember, e-cig companies aren’t putting campaign money in their pocket. Cigarette companies are). I’m guessing what you come up with is pretty obvious.
Before striking down something that you don’t approve of just because “I know I don’t want that stuff in my lungs.”, think about the bigger picture and how many people this could be saving.
And while I’m already at it: “The flavors, such as gummy bear, grape and chocolate, have made these products more appealing to youth.” Really? I forgot that only children enjoy those flavors…
Oh wait, what about whipped-cream flavored vodka? Or lemon flavored rum? Good thing only adults like lemon and whipped-cream, otherwise those would be awfully appealing to youth as well, and I’m sure a ton of people would be really outraged at the alcohol companies.
To ban the use of e-cigs on campus is fine, that’s not the point that I’m arguing. What I am disagreeing with and challenging, however, is the mass hysteria that is going on with them right now. A mass hysteria grounded almost entirely in false claims, irrational fear, and simple misinformation. What we should be going off of is the facts, and the facts clearly state that electronic cigarettes are an immensely healthier alternative to tobacco.
Always question everything.
I feel for this kid. She will reach an age where she is able to read on her own and discover all the lies she has been told. I image she is very gullible from her writing.
In the meantime the ACA and AHA say e-cigarettes are safe. The FDA has said the individual ingredients are safe for decades, including nicotine. No one has died from e-liquid poisoning in the eleven years it has been on the market. We know there are no long term effects from the individual ingredients. We can safely use the mixture until further studies show what has been shown before. At sometime, the nay-Sayers are going to have to say it has been studied enough. This ‘we don’t know’ argument is getting sophomoric.