Prospective smoking ban in the works

Nov 5 2009 - 1:02am | DJ Nutter

A campus-wide smoke ban is being discussed in an ASG committee meeting.

At least 365 campuses in the United States are smoke-free, according to the 2009 report taken by American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation.

ASG Sen. Dallen Terrell, who is researching the potential legislation, said he wants Texas State to become 366th. He said the initiative for a campus-wide smoke ban is meant to direct and advise students to healthier lifestyles. Terrell said people who smoke on-campus absorb efforts for the university’s beautification and intrude on students’ right to a healthy, intellectually conducive environment.

“When you obtrude on others rights (to clean air), your rights normally cease,” Terrell said. “Infamous smoking tables like the ones outside Elliot Hall blatantly disregard that a smoking policy even exists.”

ASG Sen. Brice Loving, marketing senior, said they have submitted a version of the 2008 “Opinion Survey on Tobacco and Exposure” at University of Minnesota to the Institutional Review Board. Members of Texas State’s Institutional Review Board oversee which surveys will be distributed campus-wide. Loving said the review period has 13-steps, but the survey should be ready to administer by the end of the semester.

Loving said their argument encompasses three tenants and the bill would be a non oppressive feature, but they have the students’ health at heart.

Smoking on-campus is illogical, Terrell said, as it poses public health and environmental issues. He said health professionals on campus like the Honors Health Professions Organization and Eta Sigma Gamma, stand behind a resoltuion enforcing stricter policies and consequences for those who light-up on campus.

Terrell said the initiative focuses on ridding students addicted to smoking tobacco by publicizing the smoking cessation program at the Student Health Center. Physicians determine independent student needs, recommending appropriate over-the-counter methods or prescriptive medication to reverse addiction. The smoking cessation program costs $10 for faculty and $5 for students.

According to the university policy and procedure statement, “Smoking is permitted outside buildings in open areas provided that it is not within 20 feet of a building entrance, open window or air intake. The Quad, Alkek Library and Academic Services Building breezeways have been designated as smoke-free and no smoking shall be permitted in these open areas.”

Terrell said students have been disregarding this policy for years.

According to university policy and procedure, “Individuals and management officials who fail to follow or enforce the Texas State smoking policy are subject to disciplinary action.”

Terrell said UPD would be able to “hit students where it hurts” and give tickets to offenders if the policy becomes law.

Dr. Emilio Carranco, director of the Student Health Center, said officials who review the 2005 University Policy and Procedure Statement strengthened smoking regulations in high-traffic areas on campus. He said enforcement of the policy is as strict as students, faculty and UPD will mandate.

“I do not think anyone would support fining students, though,” Carranco said. “UPD could potentially turn (student’s) names over to Student Justice, however, this has not yet occurred.”

Carranco said the jury is still out on whether temporary exposure to second-hand smoke can cause serious health risks. He said scientific research explicitly proves long-term second-hand smoke can cause coughing, itchy, watery eyes and have increased sensitivity for those with asthma.

Ann Marie Ellis, co-chair of President’s Council for Women at Texas State and dean of liberal arts, said members are collecting data over the effects of permitting smoking on-campus. She said the council is in its preliminary stages, developing actions and decisions in the near future.

“Someone once told me kicking their habit of tobacco was harder than stopping their addiction to cocaine,” said Ellis, who spent seven years of her profession dealing with drug prevention. “Anyone who stops smoking tobacco is admirable.”

Loving said they expect survey results similar to data collected at University of Minnesota. He said they have plans to use the data to prove the majority of students and faculty who do not smoke do not support those who pollute the campus with second-hand smoke and cigarette buds.

According to University of Minnesota’s survey, 21.1 percent of faculty and staff answered it was “not likely” they would support an (indoors and outdoors) policy prohibiting smoking tobacco, 46.3 percent responded “very likely.” Of students survyed, 23.3 percent answered “not likely,” versus 41.5 percent who responded “very likely.”

ASG Sen. Temitayo Gidado, exercise and sport science senior, said he is against his colleagues’ initiative.

 “We should put up more visual signage for impermissible locales,” Terrell said. “Let’s be honest, even President Obama smokes.”

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