Campuses Across the Country Hope to go Smoke-Free

By: Devona Moore

Campuses across the country are looking to join the smoke-free movement. Schools such as Minnesota State University and California State University Fresno have already adopted the smoke-free lifestyle in July 2006 and April 2003.

Many of the universities’ decision to go smoke-free were mostly health-motivated decisions and were supported by the majority of their student bodies.

Second-hand smoke is among the greatest concern to students, because they are subjected to the same, if not worse possible illnesses due to cigarette smoke. According to the American Cancer Society, each year there are 3,400 lung cancer deaths in non-smoking adults.

After establishing the smoking ban on their campus, Minnesota State University’s amount of dangerous air pollutants in bars and restaurants decreased by 86 percent, according to the American Lung Association of Minnesota.

Students have expressed great interest in the issue. There have been many facebook groups created in support and in opposition of smoke-free campuses. Groups such as “Students for a smoke-free campus” and “Students against smoking ban,” have over 1,000 members.

Ivory Duncan, a student at Missouri Western and a non-smoker, says she would support a smoking ban for her university.

“I hate going in and out of buildings for classes and running into smoke,” said Ivory, “It’s rude.”

With ongoing progressive initiatives taking place in Columbia, it will be a matter of time before Mizzou considers a new smoking policy on campus.

MU Smokers Speak out Against Possible Smoking Ban

By: Tricia Mickens

Many students at the University of Missouri are striving for a healthy campus. PASS (Peers Against Second-hand Smoke), a student organization on campus is working to create either designated smoking areas or eliminate it on campus altogether. Some students are for the smoking ban on campus to protect from second-hand smoke. Regulating smoking on campus sounds like a way to make it a healthy environment. However, several students like Miranda Davis feel as if they are disregarding her lifestyle. She lives in Johnston residence hall and on campus is the only place she can smoke. Since most freshmen are required to live on campus there are no other options for smokers.

“As smoker I disagree with a ban because smokers have rights as well. It’s inconsiderate especially since I live on campus.”

PASS is considering placing designated areas instead of banning smoking on campus. It would require smokers to smoke at least 20 feet from doorways. University of Missouri’s smoking stations and ashtrays are less than less than 5 feet away from doors exposing more students to second hand smoke. MU student and smoker Paul Williams tries to keep others from being around smoke.

However, “you see a smoking station right by a no smoking sign and those stations are where most people walk through to go to class.”

Although several MU students are smokers most agree to the designated areas.

“The campus should go further in making it easier for smokers and nonsmokers by having these designated areas in a place where both parties can be happy because although I smoke I don’t want to put my health choice on someone else. I want them to make their own decision.”

Davis said implementing a smoking policy would definitely enhance MU’s outlook on health and second hand smoke safety.

Mizzou's PASS Tries to Push it's Plan to Ban on Campus

By: Nick Guillory
Soon MU Students waiting for the bus, walking to class, in speakers circle, or outside of Arts and Science may have to find a different place to light up [their cigarettes]. PASS (Peers Against Second-hand Smoke), an organization on campus is working toward making Mizzou smoke-free for its students.

Rachel Anderson, former President and creator of PASS and current MSA President, “When I came in to office, the committee that Vice Chancellor Jones had put together was kind of finishing their report. They conducted their own survey and conducted a lot of forums with students and were going to present a plan to the chancellor. Right now, it’s my understanding that that plan’s been submitted but we really haven’t still seen anything that’s come of that…umm, right now we still have two conflicting policies one in the M-Book and one in the business policy. Those policies need to be clarified, so students know what the policy is on campus and also so that staff and faculty know,” said Rachel Anderson.

Last year, the committee held forums that allowed students to voice their opinion on the smoking policy on campus. Anderson said most students who showed up were in favor for the smoking ban. And some smokers that we spoke to, didn’t seem to have a problem with it either.

“I could see why people would go for [a smoking ban on campus] but a lot of people here smoke, I don’t think people would be very happy,” Anna, a student at the University said.

But, when asked if she would be okay with designated smoking areas Anna agreed and said that wouldn’t be a big deal.

Across the nation, Universities are taking steps to become smoke free campuses. The Americans for Nonsmokers Rights Foundation released a list of schools that will be smoke-free as of October 1. The list includes Des Moines University, Minnesota State University, the University of Minnesota and University of California at San Francisco.

Tiffany Bowman, a health promotion coordinator at Mizzou has heard about the recent smoke free campus trend. She thought the plans across the country at other schools were successful.

“I hear very good things and Oklahoma State is relatively new, as well as Arkansas but I hear really good things,” Bowman said.

She also said that students were very supportive, as well as the administrators. It was hardly contested because students were so accepting instead of phasing it in, the university just went ahead and started it right away.

She claimed that 60% of students at MU want a smoke free campus and 70% wanted designated smoking areas.

PASS is continuing to try and get more support for at least designated smoking areas.