E-cigarettes not allowed on school grounds

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This article was published 02/10/2014 (4251 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

E-cigarettes won’t be permitted on school grounds, according to the Brandon School Division’s superintendent.

Donna Michaels said the student conduct policy is comprehensive, banning smoking or the use of drugs and alcohol on school property.

“We consider e-cigarettes to fall under that category,” she said.

While the electronic vapourizing devices aren’t regulated by the federal government, Michaels said the decision to ban the product is due to student safety concerns.

“It goes back to the definition of smoking and we realize that this is a new area and aspects of it may be challenged, but it’s not good modelling for our students and we want our students to understand the issues related to tobacco,” Michaels said. “Vapour smoke is smoke.”

The devices, which are battery operated and administer liquid nicotine in the form of a vapour, will not be allowed in any form at any time, she said.

Adults wishing to puff on a e-cigarette during a volleyball or basketball game will be expected to vacate school property, similar to if they were smoking a regular cigarette.

Michaels said if someone wants to challenge the school board’s decision, they are free to do so, but noted that it’s important they set the right example for the safety and security of their students.

Michaels said there have been no complaints of e-cigarette usage on school grounds.

The issue is making headlines in Winnipeg, where the school board for Manitoba’s largest school division will discuss and vote on a motion next week to ban the e-smokes on school properties there.

As well, two new businesses dealing exclusively with e-cigarettes are opening here in the Wheat City.

Brandon school board chairman Mark Sefton said the trustees haven’t discussed any policies that might relate to e-cigarettes.

He said an addition may have to be made to existing regulations regarding smoking in order to ensure they cover their bases.

“Sometimes teenagers try to push the limits and if it’s not specifically included, sometimes they think it’s excluded,” Sefton said. “Probably the best course of action is to take a look at it and decide if we want to formally include it.”

Sefton said he understands the merit in the device for longtime smokers trying to kick the habit or eliminate some of the other toxins associated with more traditional ways of getting their nicotine fix.

For adolescents, however, the goal is for them not to be smoking at all, no matter the device, Sefton said.

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