This past Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, Texas A&M officially announced plans to pass a sweeping ban on vape pens on all campuses. This decision comes after much deliberation from the university, which mainly stems from worry about student health. The ban will have an effect over ANY area considered on campus, including parking lots, dorms, and even Kyle Field.

“This health threat is serious enough that I want to see the ban include every building, outside space, parking lot, garage and laboratory within the Texas A&M system,” Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said in a memo to the heads of the system’s 11 campuses.

The ban also extends to every system facility and property including satellite campuses such as A&M Galveston and Prarie View A&M.

Long-Term Vaping Effects Are Being Realized

The mortal effects of vaping on a person’s body are very recently coming to light. Deaths have begun to spring up after vaping became popular among Americans around two years ago. 26 deaths have been recorded by the CDC since the end of summer, and the number which continues to rise.

“Essentially when the chancellor issued the memo, his motivation as we understand it, was to do the right thing by the student and not take any chance with student health,” Texas A&M spokesperson Karen Clos said.

Clos, along with many A&M officials, do not expect the ban to be problematic. Vaping is not a part of A&M culture and not really something that is widespread among either students or employees. However, the school is still taking a strong stance against the use of vape products.

The Impact on Student Life

There has not been a significant student reaction to the university’s decision to ban vape products from their campuses. As Clos said, vaping has not been a big part of the culture on A&M campuses. The ban is being enforced on every campus at this point.

“The safest thing for them would be to avoid it if all possible and to seek medical advice if it is something that they have started doing or considering doing,” Katie Sanders, the assistant director of the nursing program at Texas A&M, said.