The ’fact’ that there is insufficient scientific evidence to restrict electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and their use on campus is a farce. Although this is contrary to popular belief, researchers are finding that ENDS are anything but safe to the consumer, and the public around them.

On Jan. 28 2015 the California Department of Public Health issued a health advisory on ENDS on Jan. 28, 2015, citing at least 10 chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm; among which are benzene, cadmium, formaldehyde and lead. Although ENDS are not as dangerous as conventional cigarettes, secondhand vapor from ENDS still contains many of the same particle toxins delivered to the primary smoker. If the chemical aerosols aren’t enough evidence to consider the efficacy of restricting ENDS, consider the cartridge itself.

A simple Google search will yield a plethora of e-cig forums discussing cartridge leakage. These disposable plastic cartridges can leak when mechanical issues arise in the delivery system. Imagine if an ENDS user encountered this problem at a classroom desk, or at a table of your favorite restaurant. Imagine your child eating off of this table, potentially being exposed to this toxic slurry. You may not know much about it, but you probably don’t want your child accidentally consuming it.

In the food and pharmaceutical industries, novel additives and drugs undergo careful scrutiny and testing before they are deemed safe. Though the FDA does not regulate the entire ENDS market, it is working to expand its preview into this new sector of the tobacco industry. Nevertheless, to think that these products are “innocent until proven guilty” is imprudent and shortsighted.

The 19-9-0 passage of the ENDS bill was a wise decision on the part of the GSB. They join the ranks of policy makers in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Duluth, The State of North Dakota, and many others who have had the foresight to see this drug’s potential threat to public health. As far as I know, they are the first student body in the nation to make such a resolution. They did so using peer-reviewed scientific literature, public health publications and a quality survey of the community of Ames conducted by Spencer Cain and the Health Promotion Club. Spencer and his team surveyed 598 people, 396 of them being ISU students — 66 percent of the respondents.

I appeal to the Iowa State Daily Editorial board and the community at-large to check the facts before making any more fallacious, emotionally charged, broad-stroke claims. After your study, I trust that you too will discover that although these drugs are not sufficiently studied, they certainly aren’t a kale and quinoa smoothie.