Fix the UA tobacco policy
E-mail ASG senators to create designated smoking areas
Adam Roberts
Issue date: 11/10/08 Section: Opinion
It's obvious that the UA tobacco policy is broken. We've been complaining about the unenforceable tobacco ban for about a year and a half now, but its time to stop just complaining. We can finally take action.
If you don't have any time during the next week to send a quick e-mail, don't bother reading the rest of this column because it won't do any good.
Next week, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, a new resolution will be introduced to the Associated Student Government senate. I wrote "A Resolution to Fix the UA Tobacco Policy" over the course of several weeks.
I e-mailed all members of the ASG senate and asked for their input. The document is a result of months of debate and consultation with students and campus leaders on all sides of the tobacco issue.
I'm listed as the author of the resolution, but none of the ideas are mine - the real author is the UA student body.
The resolution calls on ASG members of the Campus Council to meet and work with faculty and staff to create a new policy that will do three things:
1) Create "designated smoking areas" on campus,
2) Enforce a ban on smoking outside these areas with modest fines, and
3) Bring ashtrays back to campus.
The resolution is based on the idea that there is no conflict between health and freedom and that everyone should be able to choose for themselves if they will inhale tobacco smoke.
Adults should be allowed to use tobacco if they choose. But their rights end where others' bodies begins, and adults also should be able to go to class without being forced to inhale tobacco.
So, the obvious consequence of these two related rights is that people can smoke tobacco if they want but not where nonsmokers can't easily avoid it.
Originally, the UA had a "25-foot rule," and smokers were prohibited from smoking within 25 feet of a building.
Enforcing this rule would be very difficult. It would create a maze of smoking and nonsmoking zones, and we'd have to get a tape measure to figure out if someone was complying.
If you don't have any time during the next week to send a quick e-mail, don't bother reading the rest of this column because it won't do any good.
Next week, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, a new resolution will be introduced to the Associated Student Government senate. I wrote "A Resolution to Fix the UA Tobacco Policy" over the course of several weeks.
I e-mailed all members of the ASG senate and asked for their input. The document is a result of months of debate and consultation with students and campus leaders on all sides of the tobacco issue.
I'm listed as the author of the resolution, but none of the ideas are mine - the real author is the UA student body.
The resolution calls on ASG members of the Campus Council to meet and work with faculty and staff to create a new policy that will do three things:
1) Create "designated smoking areas" on campus,
2) Enforce a ban on smoking outside these areas with modest fines, and
3) Bring ashtrays back to campus.
The resolution is based on the idea that there is no conflict between health and freedom and that everyone should be able to choose for themselves if they will inhale tobacco smoke.
Adults should be allowed to use tobacco if they choose. But their rights end where others' bodies begins, and adults also should be able to go to class without being forced to inhale tobacco.
So, the obvious consequence of these two related rights is that people can smoke tobacco if they want but not where nonsmokers can't easily avoid it.
Originally, the UA had a "25-foot rule," and smokers were prohibited from smoking within 25 feet of a building.
Enforcing this rule would be very difficult. It would create a maze of smoking and nonsmoking zones, and we'd have to get a tape measure to figure out if someone was complying.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Amanda Vincek
posted 11/11/08 @ 11:39 PM CST
I think that we should have a smoking area for employees and students. There are way too many people that smoke and are on campus every day! Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion!
Mike Vincek
posted 11/11/08 @ 11:41 PM CST
Employees neeed to have a choice wether they smoke or not!
Post a Comment