In an attempt to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke, the University recently revised its policy on smoking in public areas to prohibit the activity within 25 feet of all building entrances, including air intakes, windows and doors.
Ralph Allen, director of the University’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety, explained that this new policy clarifies existing University regulations on smoking. He said the policy already prohibited smoking within buildings and in areas close to any entrances but without setting a specific distance.
Allen said the revision “leaves less to the interpretation,” noting that a smoker previously could have claimed to be “two blocks” or “5 feet” away from a building but not necessarily “next to” a building’s door.
“What we’re trying to do is protect people from second-hand smoke,” Allen said. “The idea was to have people who were smoking not draw air into the buildings.”
Allen added that enforcing the smoking policy will largely rely on individual witnesses to bring violations to the attention of the respective disciplinary bodies for students, faculty or staff, and noted that those in charge will be initially responsible for informing their staff members of the policy clarification. University Human Resources, he said, is ultimately responsible for disciplining employees, and students who violate the policy also could face disciplinary action.
“I think the intent is [that] no one wants to go around being smoking police,” Allen said of this enforcement policy. “I think individual smokers are just going to have to be responsive.”
First-year College student Ahmed Sarhan, however, expressed some reservations about the new smoking policy. Sarhan said policies banning smoking in some public places might infringe upon personal choice.
“I understand the reasoning behind it,” Sarhan said. “I think it’s a good cause because you’re respecting people’s health and people’s privacy.”
Nonetheless, Sarhan said, individuals should have the choice whether or not to smoke. Sarhan said he believed that such an allowance would also be more in tune with the founding principles of the University.
Third-year College student Kelsey Gustin, though, said she tends to favor policies prohibiting smoking in certain places.
“I think to a certain degree smokers should be respectful of those around them,” Gustin said. “In public, enclosed places I’m usually in approval of non-smoking policies.”
In addition to modifying its smoking policies, Allen said the University continues to emphasize smoker health as well. To aid current smokers who may consider quitting, Allen noted, the University’s health insurance plan includes coverage for smoking cessation health care.
“I think it was to encourage recognizing that [smoking] is an addiction, and it takes some effort to overcome it,” Allen said. “The goal is ... if you spend some money on health care preventing lung cancer, it’s better than spending money in treating the lung cancer later.”
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