Following a visit from a coordinator for the Fresh Air Campus Challenge and discussion on campus, the University of Idaho Faculty Senate is looking at instituting a tobacco-free campus policy. While the idea is good in theory, UI’s failure to implement the current smoking policy does not lend itself to success with a full tobacco ban.
Currently, the university’s administrative procedures manual prohibits smoking within 25 feet of buildings. Unfortunately, this rule is often ignored and people smoke right by entrances to buildings such as the Idaho Commons. UI doesn’t seem to have any way to enforce this policy and if they do, they certainly don’t take advantage of it.
Part of the reason the current rule isn’t followed is because of the location of the cigarette disposal containers, which are often placed closer than 25 feet outside of buildings. If the proposed ban was instituted and the containers were removed, people would instead litter butts on the ground — leading to more cleanup and more money spent on cleanup for the university.
The reasoning behind the tobacco ban is sound enough — promoting a healthy, clean environment that provides people with the opportunity to avoid slogging through a cloud of smoke. Before we take this step, however, it is vital that our current policies are being enforced. After all, how can a new policy work if an old policy cannot be enforced?
Furthermore, a complete tobacco ban — as opposed to just a smoking ban — would eliminate the ability for people to use chew and e-cigarettes. Chew affects nobody besides the user and should be an individual choice. E-cigarettes are often used as a way for people to wean themselves off smoking, without the more harmful effects of inhaling smoke. Assisting students to quit smoking is something that the university should encourage as a healthful behavior, instead of banning it.
UI should look first at enforcing our current policy and taking less drastic measures to promote a healthy and safe campus for all. Until then, let’s stay away from a complete tobacco ban.
–KM