South Dakota has moved to ban electronic cigarettes on the campuses of three of its largest healthcare providers. The change was made Monday as an amendment to an extensive no-tobacco policy already in place. The original policy came into effect in 2006, banning the use of all tobacco products anywhere on hospital campuses.

Providers behind the ban include Regional Health of Rapid City, Avera McKennan of Sioux Falls and Sanford Health of Sioux Falls. While Dale Gisi, director of human resources at Regional Health stands behind the policy, the electronic cigarette ban has many up in arms as seems it contradict even the “no-tobacco” policy name.

E-cigarettes, argue manufacturers and users– contain no tobacco. Some (zero nicotine strengths are available) contain liquid nicotine and various ingredients and they emit an odor-free water vapor. This vapor is inhaled and exhaled like smoke but does not contain the carcinogenic ingredients or second-hand risks of cigarette smoke.

Electronic cigarettes have seen a boom in South Dakota after a statewide smoking ban was voted into effect in November 2010.

While conclusive studies are still being conducted on the safety of electronic cigarettes, evidence has shown they are far more effective than nicotine gums and patches.

According to Gisi, Regional policymakers believe e-cigarettes pose health risks and therefore included them in the new policy.

“We believe it’s important to model healthy behaviors,” says Gisi, leading many to see the ban as an invasion on their human rights.

“Banning electronic cigarettes is both counterproductive and premature”, says Rapid City resident Sean Jenkins. “E-cigarettes are helping people to quit smoking. Shouldn’t that be supported by health care advocates?”

“This is not modeling healthy behaviors; this is enforcing behaviors that others believe as unhealthy. This is prohibition, says Jenkins. “Are they going to ban cupcakes and candy bars next due to rising health insurance costs from obesity? This has gone too far.”

source article : www.vaporacademy.com

» Read More...

Two months into a new policy banning smoking from submarines, smokers are turning to electronic cigarettes to make the transition.

The new policy banning cigarette smoking was put into effect Jan. 1^st after a 2009 study found unacceptable levels of secondhand smoke when the subs were submerged. It is similar to other recent smoking bans in indoor areas such as base office buildings.

“This environment where our sailors are breathing air that’s recirculated makes it unique,” said Cmdr. Christy Hagen, spokeswoman for the Navy’s Submarine Force Pacific in Hawaii. “The policy was necessary in order to protect the health of all submariners.”

Life can be hard on a submariner where deep under the ocean surface for months at a time inside a metal tube. Families feel even farther away with long stretches without access to phones or email. Before the smoking ban, 30 to 50 percent of ship crew were smokers.

Fortunately, submariners aren’t required to go cold turkey. Nicotine is still allowed in the form of electronic cigarettes, patches, gum and chewing tobacco. For many, the most difficult adjustment seems to be the loss of regular visits to the smoke pit to break in their day. This is where electronic cigarettes provide a welcome alternative.

“Without the e-cig I would be completely on edge or gaining weight from overeating. It’s not like there are many distractions down there”, says Lieutenant David Hunley.

Smoking is still allowed at the discretion of individual commanders on the sub deck while surfacing and in ports.
source article: www.vaporacademy.com

» Read More...