University campus bans e-cigarettes

TEXARKANA, Texas — Texas A&M University-Texarkana banned vaping and the use of e-cigarettes on campus Wednesday morning after a directive issued by A&M System Chancellor John Sharp.

“Our university police have begun talking to people and giving verbal warnings,” said Vicki Melde, chief of staff for A&M-Texarkana President Emily Cutrer. “We want people to understand it does include parking lots and areas on campus people might not think about.”

The chancellor sent a memo to all the system’s campus presidents Tuesday directing them to ban e-cigarettes and vaping products on campuses as soon as possible.

Melde said the directive came immediately after Cutrer sent a notification to A&M-Texarkana students, faculty and staff members that they were implementing a tobacco-free policy to begin Jan. 1. Smoking is currently allowed on the campus in designated areas.

“We went through several organizations, the faculty senate, staff council and student government association and got their feedback on the tobacco-free policy, and it was very positive,” she said. “Even though we know it will be difficult on some folks, we think the best thing for the health of everyone is to be tobacco free.”

Melde said officials are working to make resources available to people who wish to quit using tobacco products.

“We know change is hard, and we don’t want this to be viewed as a negative,” she said.

Melde also said research shows that serious illness can occur immediately after the first-time use of an e-cigarette or vaping device.