The signs on the UC Berkeley campus are hard to miss: They feature the word "Breathe" in large white font, followed by the phrase "Tobacco Free @ Berkeley by 2014" placed on a backdrop of the iconic Campanile. In the last few months, the posters have popped up in campus buildings and at bus stops surrounding the university.
The signs are part of a new smoke-free policy at UC campuses around the state. Some campuses, including Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, have already implemented the initiative, and UC Berkeley plans to follow suit starting January 1.
The campus-wide bans on smoking — including outdoor areas — have sparked little debate. But the prohibition also extends to electronic cigarettes, better known as e-cigs, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigs do not produce smoke. They are almost entirely odorless, and some research shows that they may be just as effective as nicotine patches in helping smokers quit the habit.
