While attending a Tobacco Free Idaho Alliance meeting in Boise on Dec. 8, 2014, I had the opportunity to listen to a riveting speaker by the name of Victor DeNoble. He was recruited by Philip Morris in 1980 to work in a chemistry research lab. His work with Phillip Morris helped identify and understand the addictive nature of nicotine and other tobacco additives.
DeNoble was the first whistleblower to testify before Congress about his research conducted for the company that produces Marlboro cigarettes. His testimony helped lead to the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, a settlement Big Tobacco must pay to help cover some of the economic burden their products put on our country.
Center for Disease Control currently estimates that smoking costs the US $170 billion in health care spending. Sixty percent of these costs are paid by taxpayers through programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
As a subject matter, expert on tobacco addiction and the dangers of tobacco use, I wanted to know DeNoble’s thoughts on tobacco-free policies. I explained to DeNoble the efforts to establish a tobacco-free policy at UI. I also mentioned the proposed “compromise” of designated smoking areas, and asked his thoughts on the subject. His response was memorable.
“Designated smoking areas are like designated peeing areas in a pool. They don’t work,” he said.
In my role as a Certified Health Educator with Public Health — Idaho North Central District, I agree with DeNoble: designated smoking areas do not protect the health of everyone.
The university can send a clear message about being a place that promotes health by establishing a tobacco-free campus policy. Tobacco is not a safe product. It has no place on university campuses.