The Johnsonian

Issue date: 8/30/06 Section: News

Smoking on campus is now limited to 16 designated spots.

As the campus kicks off a new year, students, visitors, faculty and staff have to adjust to a new Campus Smoking Policy at Winthrop.

The policy, adopted by Executive Officers, was implemented August 1. According to the new policy, smoking is prohibited in campus buildings and university owned or leased vehicles. Smoking is not allowed in offices, hallways, waiting rooms, restrooms, lunchrooms, elevators, meeting rooms, residence halls or apartments and community areas controlled by the university. These regulations apply during and after campus hours, and during all university-sponsored events.

Students who fail to follow the new rules could be punished for noncompliance with university policies. Frank Ardaiolo, vice president for student life, said that there is not a set punishment for students who violate the rules and the consequences will depend on the person's attitude and the situation.

"If you want to smoke you have to abide by the rules," said Ardaiolo. "We hope that people, voluntarily, will follow the new policy."

He calls the campus a community where we are all concerned about each other.

"We're trying to be as accommodating as we possibly can and we will adjust as time goes on," Ardaiolo said.

"We want to act in a very positive, assertive way without being Draconian," Ardaiolo said.

Winthrop is representative of a culture moving toward a smoke-free environment.

As of March 31, 2003, New York has prohibited smoking in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, taxis, buses and bars according to the New York Department of Health. Boston and other cities in Texas and California have adopted similar policies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "The widespread practice of smoking in buildings exposes nonsmoking occupants to combustion by-products under condi

tions where airborne contaminant removal is slow and uncertain."

Secondhand smoke plays a big role in Winthrop's Campus Smoking Policy. Several complaints about secondhand smoke stimulated Executive Officers to create a Task Force made up of faculty, staff and students who drafted and proposed the new Campus Smoking Policy.

Senior computer science major Jasmine Jackson says the policy is good for everyone, especially those with health problems.

"Students don't have worry about walking through a cloud of smoke coming outside of Kinard," she said.

Reaction among Winthrop smoker's is mixed.

"It's college. It's a person's right to smoke if they are of age," Freshmen business administration Brandt McQueen said. "Outside the buildings I can understand, but getting fined for doing it around campus, I don't really agree with."

Sophomore accounting major Nona Peterson said that she respects that other people don't want to be around second-hand smoke.

"It doesn't bother me," Peterson said. "I'm used to it."

Building managers are responsible for monitoring compliance with the Campus Smoking Policy within their selected areas. Anyone who fails to abide by the new policy.

There are 16 designated areas which allow smokers to smoke in peace. Ardaiolo said these areas may change as the year continues.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools