What the Tech? : Smoking

When the Smoke Free Illinois Act took effect in 2008, Illinois smokers were forced to take their habit outside. Shortly after this law was passed, Illinois saw a dramatic increase in personal vaporizers, or e-cigarettes. What makes e-cigs popular is the lack of additive ingredients found in regular cigarettes, and the release of water vapor over smoke. E-cigs work by heating a liquid substance into a smokeable vapor. Users can mix their own liquids with flavor and their own level of nicotine content in order to help them lower their addiction to the chemical.

There has been much debate on whether or not e-cigs are safer to smoke than cigarettes. Some studies have shown that the e-cig vapor and cigarette smoke produce the same amount of mutation within respiratory cells. However, other studies have shown that the lack of chemicals present within e-cigs allows them to produce a purer, safer vapor. But one thing is consistent throughout all of the studies; the data is considered inconclusive.

In light of this, Illinois Central College students represent a diverse community of users of both traditional cigarettes and personal vaporizers. With the rapid growth of the e-cig market and the passage of the Smoke Free Illinois Act, institutions like ICC have had to change their policy on smoking on campus. In addition to the proposed state ban on traditional smoking, ICC may consider prohibiting personal vaporizers, as well.  The question is, how will this affect smokers who had considered switching over to e-cigs as a safer, more convenient alternative?