Purdue links vape sharing to coronavirus cases
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) — Purdue University officials are warning students that sharing vaping devices has been linked to coronavirus cases on campus.
Officials say it’s been linked to multiple cases, especially in shared housing including fraternities, sororities and cooperative houses, though the university is not providing any specific numbers.
Senior Adam Lechowicz smokes a corncob pipe on weekends. He also has a second one if a friend wants to try it, too.
“That one gets passed around a little bit,” Lechowicz said. “I’m bad about cleaning it. Even before coronavirus, someone has the flu or a cold, you can definitely share anything through mouth. But, it’s never stopped me before.”
But, Purdue hopes it stops. Leaders cited a recent study from Stanford University.
An online survey of more than 4,000 teens and young adults found those who used e-cigarettes were five times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 and seven times more likely among those who both vaped and used traditional cigarettes.
Lechowicz said risk-taking behaviors are only natural among the traditional college student.
“It doesn’t surprise me that it would happen. It shouldn’t surprise the university either. They’re putting a lot of pressure on us to perform at these unnatural levels of expectations,” he said. “I think they are trying to us as a scapegoat if things go poorly.”
Lechowicz isn’t the only one. Another student who declined to go on camera because he was worried about his parents said he often shared his vaping device with his roommates.
Purdue declined further comment Tuesday.
Lechowicz said he will make a better effort to wash or wipe down his pipe between uses but will not stop offering it to others.
“No, it’s hospitality. I’m not going to be rude about it.”
On Tuesday, Purdue released its plans for the spring semester. It brings students back on Jan. 19 after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and, as a result, eliminates spring break. There’s also a fully online option, too.