College and university students find vaping a popular alternative to smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco use. Vaping can supply just as much nicotine as cigarettes, satisfying users who have a nicotine addiction. Nicotine is, in fact, highly addictive. But college and university students also vape non-nicotine liquids for their fruity, minty, or other flavors. Some students also vape other drugs besides nicotine for their hallucinogenic or other mood-altering effects. In many states, vaping is illegal until age eighteen, twenty, or twenty-one. And vaping certain drugs is illegal for persons of all ages. What effect, then, could your vaping habit or addiction have on your college or university education, including your prospects for graduation?

School Risks and Consequences of Vaping

Vaping can certainly carry significant risks of college or university discipline, right up to expulsion; especially in vaping cases involving alleged illegal drug use anywhere on campus and/or repeat offenses in a dorm setting, for example. Some schools, like the University of Oregon, expressly prohibit vaping anywhere on school property, whether the vaping material involves an illegal drug or not. The University of Oregon also prohibits the use of tobacco products on campus. The University of Oregon's student code of conduct, like codes at other schools, gives school disciplinary officials broad discretion to impose appropriate discipline, again right up to expulsion. School officials are likely to consider several factors when imposing discipline for vaping, including where and when the student vaped, whether the student was of legal age to vape, what legal or illegal liquid the student vaped, and whether the student had prior misconduct offenses. Other schools, like the University of Virginia, say nothing in their student conduct standards about vaping or, in UVA's case, even tobacco use. In short, your vaping risk at your college or university will very likely depend on what your school's student code of conduct says and how school officials apply it.

What to Do About College Vaping Addiction

First, if you have a vaping addiction at your college or university, be absolutely sure that you know your school's vaping rules. Read your school's student code of conduct. If you have any question whatsoever about what your school's rules on vaping are, inquire of the responsible school officials before vaping or even possessing e-cigarettes or vaping liquids on school property. Your school's dean or director of student affairs, or the student affairs office should be able to direct you to the correct school policy. Second, if your school prohibits vaping on school property, then don't. Don't vape, and don't carry or control e-cigarettes, cartridges, or other vaping paraphernalia. Appreciate the risks you face. Suspension or dismissal for vaping could ruin your education and even affect your job and career prospects. Finally, if you have a vaping addiction, get professional help. Your physician, your school medical facility, and your school's student services should be able to direct you to programs, tools, and resources.

Retain national college misconduct defense attorney advisor Joseph D. Lento of the Lento Law Firm if you face vaping or other school misconduct charges. Attorney Lento has successfully defended hundreds of students nationwide on all forms of misconduct charges. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now.