Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. Many vape users enjoy being able to vape in places where smoking is prohibited. This raises the question – can you bring a vape into Neyland Stadium for University of Tennessee football games?
The Short Answer
No, vapes and other tobacco products, including cigarettes, are prohibited inside Neyland Stadium. The stadium has a clear bag policy, which limits the size and type of bags permitted. Bags are searched upon entry and vapes or any other prohibited items will be confiscated.
UT’sPolicies on Vaping and Tobacco Use
The University of Tennessee has a campus-wide prohibition on vaping and tobacco use in all university buildings and facilities. This policy was expanded in 2017 to include vaping and e-cigarettes in addition to other tobacco products. Bringing a vape pen or any tobacco product into Neyland would be a violation of this policy.
Reasons for Campus Vaping and Tobacco Bans
Many colleges and universities across the United States have enacted bans on vaping and tobacco use on campus. There are several reasons behind these policies:
- Secondhand smoke – Vaping produces vapor that contains nicotine and other chemicals that can be harmful to bystanders.
- Fire risk – Lithium-ion batteries in vape devices can pose a fire hazard.
- Health concerns – Universities want to promote health and wellness among students.
- Influence on others – Limiting tobacco and nicotine use on campuses can help prevent addiction in younger students.
- Compliance with public laws – Many states and localities prohibit vaping indoors in public spaces, including government buildings like state universities.
UT decided to take a firm stance and prohibit vaping everywhere on campus to provide the healthiest environment possible for students, staff, faculty and visitors.
UT’s Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative
The University of Tennessee Knoxville campus became entirely tobacco-free starting on July 1, 2016. This initiative banned the use of tobacco products, including:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars
- Pipes
- All forms of smokeless tobacco (chew, snuff, dip, etc.)
- Electronic cigarettes
- Personal vaporizers
- Electronic nicotine delivery systems
In announcing this policy, the university cited the US Surgeon General’s warnings about exposure to secondhand smoke and evidence linking smokeless tobacco use to cancer. The university also noted the increasing popularity of vaping among middle and high school students. Prohibiting all tobacco use on campus aims to promote a healthy environment at UT.
Neyland Stadium Policies
As a university facility, Neyland Stadium adheres to all UT policies regarding tobacco and vaping. But the stadium has additional event-day policies restricting the size and type of bags permitted inside. These rules effectively prohibit vaping and tobacco use during football games.
Neyland Stadium Clear Bag Policy
Neyland Stadium has a clear bag policy modeled after the NFL’s stadium rules. Fans can only bring:
- Clear plastic bags no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″
- One-gallon clear freezer bags
- Small clutch purses not exceeding 4.5″ x 6.5″
Prohibited items that will be turned away at the gates include:
- Tobacco products
- Vapes, e-cigarettes, vape pens
- Outside food or drinks
- Umbrellas
- Weapons
- Bags exceeding size limits
With only small see-through bags permitted, there is no place to conceal a vape or tobacco product from security screeners at the entrance gates. Trying to bring prohibited items in will result in confiscation at best and ejection from the stadium at worst.
Consequences of Vaping in Neyland Stadium
Given the clear bag policy and screening process, attempting to sneak in a vape or other banned item is extremely difficult. But those caught vaping inside the stadium are likely to face serious repercussions:
- Confiscation of vape pen or tobacco products
- Removal from Neyland Stadium immediately
- Potential ban from future UT events
- Fines or legal charges
Using a vape in the stadium directly violates UT’s tobacco-free initiative. Offenders may face academic discipline under the student code of conduct or corrective action as an employee.
Best Practice: Leave Vapes at Home
To avoid confiscation of your vape, ejection from Neyland Stadium, and possible academic or legal consequences, it is best to simply leave vapes and tobacco products at home on UT football game days. Both university policy and Neyland Stadium rules prohibit vaping inside the venue or any other UT facility. Support the university’s healthy campus initiative by abstaining from vaping when attending a UT football game.
Can You Vape Outside the Stadium?
UT’s tobacco and vape free policy covers the entire campus, including exterior areas. So vaping immediately outside Neyland Stadium entrance gates would still violate university rules.
However, vaping is permitted on city streets and sidewalks outside the campus perimeter. Fans who want to vape before or after the game can do so legally on downtown streets around the stadium.
Some tips for legally vaping outside Neyland Stadium:
- Walk off campus onto city streets – Cumberland Avenue or Phillip Fulmer Way
- Vape discreetly away from crowds after exiting the stadium
- Dispose of vape cartridges properly in trash receptacles
- Follow all city no-smoking ordinances for vaping in public
While vaping at the stadium itself or on campus remains prohibited, patrons can legally vape on adjoining city property outside UT’s jurisdiction.
Alternative Nicotine Options for Neyland Stadium
If you’ll be craving nicotine at the big game, there are some less risky options than trying to sneak in a vape:
Nicotine Gum or Lozenges
Nicotine replacement therapies like gums and mints provide a safe source of nicotine without the risks and aromas of vaping. These products are generally permitted into public venues. Keep them in your clear bag or pocket for discreet nicotine delivery during the game.
Tobacco-Free Dip and Chew
Herbal chew and pouches provide tobacco-free, spit-free options for oral fixation. Made of herbs, spices, coffee grounds, or tea leaves, these products look and feel like dip without the tobacco or nicotine. They provide an alternate way to cope with cravings.
Fidget Toys and Stress Balls
Sometimes just having something to keep your hands busy can help distract from nicotine urges. Fidget spinners, cubes, rings, and stress balls can satisfy that oral fixation and antsy habit.
Conclusion
Neyland Stadium and the entire University of Tennessee campus explicitly prohibit using tobacco products or vapes at university facilities. The stadium’s thorough screening process also makes it nearly impossible to sneak in vaping devices. Leave any vapes or cigarettes at home to avoid confiscation or ejection from UT football games. While you cannot vape inside the stadium, city streets outside campus boundaries allow legal, discreet vaping before or after games. With nicotine gum, tobacco-free chew, or fidget toys, you can make it through a tobacco-free game smoke-free. Support UT’s mission to provide healthy, tobacco-free campuses by finding alternative options to enjoy football games vape-free.