Should EdCC Become a Non-Smoking Campus?

[Wayne]

Students and staff are talking about EdCC going non-smoking! I know we have lots of smokers as well as people who don't like the smell of smoke. I'm interested in what the campus is thinking!!

[Steven DuBois]

I'm not sure that combining the huts would be a the best way to go, seeing as they do get pretty crowded. But adding another one might be pretty helpful. I was thinking of possibly putting a hut on one of the second story skywalks myself. I do see the problem in putting the huts right next to the main thoroughfares of the campus.

[Yin]

Hmm.. is it possible to move the smoke huts on the roof top?

While we're up there, is it possible to build a green roof?

=)

[Sara Idzikowski]

To me personally, I just quit smoking, so it would be a great help to resist the temptation to smoke, but at the same time I know how it feels to want nothing more than a smoke after a class when your really feening for one! In my opinion I feel they should just have one big smoking area in the parking lot or farther away from ALL buildings, that way nobody is affected by the smoke. It would help quite alot, then all the smoking shacks could be a simple relaxing area and all the spit, and ciggarrette butts and stuff would be in one spot!

[Wayne]

Great comments Sara! The smoking kiosk by Meadowdale is being dismantled to make room for the renovation of Meadowdale. This means one less place to "legally" smoke out the EdCC campus. I'm not sure what the long term outlook is for a non-smoking campus but as trends go more and more 2 and 4 year campus are moving this direction. I am willing to say that in 5-10 years most colleges and universities in this country will be non-smoking. The question for us is do we want to be on the front of this movement or the back end?

[Sara Idzikowski]

Exactly! I feel that I may be somewhere in the middle of the movement.. because I can feel for the smoker's, (being an ex-smoker), but also as being an ex-smoker I don't want to be tempted and now I just can't stand the scent.. let alone just being near the scent because it sticks to my clothing! But what are your feelings about this movement?

[Anna Hopkins]

I think its sad that we have to loose our rights but I also can understand that others have feelings about it and respect their feelings but I also am not disrespectful of others feelings. I know its hard to quit and I wouldnt want to be near a temptation either but there needs to be some kind of common ground between us all a sort of unity where non smokers have the ability to make request be respected and the smokers have the right to be heard and not loose their right to make that choice as long as they can be respectful of non smokers. I wish I had the answer I think there needs to be a serious meeting between smokers and non smokers and the student body to discuss what the best options are. I for one dont want it to be decided for me whats best for me is best for others. I think we need to think outside the box and look at both points and compromise.

[Anna Hopkins]

I have already heard dissention regarding the dismantle of the hut there are smokers making bad arguments such as now flatulence should be banned on campus and you should recieve a ticket for that as well. The spitting is disgusting and have already seen butts all over where the hut was on the ground even though the ashtrays were visible and in plain sight I dont know if this was retaliation or they just dont realize there there. I dont see the reason for the spitting has nothing to do with smoking if they have phlegm bring a tissue. Its sad that it may come to that but hey more than not are disrespectful smokers. If there was some way for the smokers to help put the word out that they are contributing to the loss of those rights maybe they would stop. I and some others have made attempts to alievate the problems but once again it seems any kind of solution will not arise without discussion from both sides and to really be proactive in a resolution.

[Andrew Mak]

You know, I am a non-smoker and I am also considered a health freak with my diet and exercise regimen so the perfect campus for me would be a non-smoking campus.

However!

The world does not revolve around me!

I think it would be great to have more contained areas for smokers. Not to ostracize anyone but to have a nice area for them where the smoke will not reach out and bother non-smoking people. I remember walking in an airport in Tokyo, Japan. The smokers had their own nice lounge area and could puff to their hearts desire.

Hey if the smoke doesn't get to me, you can do it all you want! :D

[Wayne]

I agree with you Andrew, but unfortunately with smoking only allowed outdoors it seems there is no place on this campus that someone will not be affected by someone who smokes. I have heard from students who have to "walk" through someone else's smoke and that was enough for them. Creating a tobacco free campus would eliminate this--unless a person chose to ingnore the restriction. Then we have a different issue which Security could enforce.

[Kelly C]

I think smoking in designated areas should be more enforced, and that some of the smoking huts should be moved to out of the way areas. I'm a non-smoker and I don't mind if other people smoke, but I don't want to have to walk through smoke when I'm walking to class.

[Wayne]

You are getting to the heart of why there may be a movement on this campus to go tobacco free. Our campus doesn't have any "out of the way" spots. Whether you are in a parking lot or walking along a sidewalk or path people will always be affected by the second-hand smoke. I agree about the enforcement issue. People go outside of the designated areas and also smoke where they want. Look for more to come on this issue.