Reminder to parents and students: no e-cigarettes or 'vaping' at school

School officials in Regina have issued a reminder about a policy that includes e-cigarettes or vaporizers as banned products on school property.

A note was sent to parents of students at Massey school this week, after officials noticed the devices were being used.

The school board does not allow smoking and that includes e-cigarettes in the prohibition.

"I completely agree that they shouldn't be allowed on school property," parent Lynette Farquhar said of the devices. "It's sort of like smoking, so why allow something that's close to something that's not allowed?"

The devices have been a cause of concern for many. Some deliver nicotine to the user. Others do not. The link to tobacco is especially worrisome to the Canadian Cancer Society.

"They have the potential to hook another generation of kids on nicotine," Donna Pasiechnik, from the Saskatchewan branch of the society, said. "We need some regulation. We're not saying ban e-cigs, we're just saying let's have some regulation so you're not getting retailers selling to little kids."

One Regina retailer said he maintains a strict policy of refusing to sell the devices to anyone under 18.

"We're really strict with that," Brett Bostick, of Planet of the Vapes, said. "Even if someone is with someone who is 18 and they say, 'He's gonna buy it for me.' No that's not OK."

Bostick added he supports government regulation for the devices.

Federal authorities are conducting a review of e-cigarettes and provincial officials are waiting for the outcome of that.