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| Cigarette butts found outside Derrick Hall at Texas State University |
Story & Photo by: Alyson Svec
The choice to
make the campus smoke-free was a smart idea.
According to an August 1 university policy and procedure statement (UPPS), Texas State is committed to a healthy and safe campus, so all tobacco products were banned on campus.
When students
are walking to class or cramming in time to eat before their next class, they
can do so in a cleaner environment.
The smoking ban provides the campus with less polluted air for students and the staff to breathe better. Non-smokers typically prefer to not smell cigarette smoke when walking to class.
Kara Stewart, management major, thinks the smoking ban on campus is a good idea.
“A majority of students don’t smoke and shouldn’t be subjected to second hand smoke," Stewart said. "Also, the ban might encourage those students who do smoke to quit, which would be beneficial to their health.”
According to the studies by the American Cancer Society, secondhand smoke has been linked to cancer and is more harmful for non-smokers. In the study, tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, 250 of those which are known to be harmful and 69 to cause cancer.
Students who do not smoke should not have to be more at risk for just trying to get around campus in peace. The ban allows student smokers to find another way to deal with stress if they choose to abide with the rules.
There are steps to take if a student is caught smoking on campus or violating the tobacco policy. According to UPPS on the tobacco ban, there are repercussions for not following the policy including informing the person the university prohibits tobacco products and if they refuse to stop, the student should report this violation to an authority on campus, such as University Police.
Enforcement needs to be stepped up though. Students are not taking the smoking ban seriously because few have been written up for being caught on campus, so they will continue to find hidden areas to smoke. It is easier not to abide by the rules when they are not enforced strongly.
With the ash trays removed on campus, cigarette butts have just been thrown on the ground anywhere, which is not helping the ideal standing of the university. They should leave them because now we have a littering problem!
While some smokers believe their rights have been taken away from them, they should realize they are still free to smoke whenever and wherever they please off campus.
Students should drop their lighters and ash their cigarettes when they arrive on campus. If more students embraced the tobacco-free policy, we would have a much healthier campus.
Kara Stewart, management major, thinks the smoking ban on campus is a good idea.
“A majority of students don’t smoke and shouldn’t be subjected to second hand smoke," Stewart said. "Also, the ban might encourage those students who do smoke to quit, which would be beneficial to their health.”
According to the studies by the American Cancer Society, secondhand smoke has been linked to cancer and is more harmful for non-smokers. In the study, tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, 250 of those which are known to be harmful and 69 to cause cancer.
Students who do not smoke should not have to be more at risk for just trying to get around campus in peace. The ban allows student smokers to find another way to deal with stress if they choose to abide with the rules.
There are steps to take if a student is caught smoking on campus or violating the tobacco policy. According to UPPS on the tobacco ban, there are repercussions for not following the policy including informing the person the university prohibits tobacco products and if they refuse to stop, the student should report this violation to an authority on campus, such as University Police.
Enforcement needs to be stepped up though. Students are not taking the smoking ban seriously because few have been written up for being caught on campus, so they will continue to find hidden areas to smoke. It is easier not to abide by the rules when they are not enforced strongly.
With the ash trays removed on campus, cigarette butts have just been thrown on the ground anywhere, which is not helping the ideal standing of the university. They should leave them because now we have a littering problem!
While some smokers believe their rights have been taken away from them, they should realize they are still free to smoke whenever and wherever they please off campus.
Students should drop their lighters and ash their cigarettes when they arrive on campus. If more students embraced the tobacco-free policy, we would have a much healthier campus.
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