Texas State University employed a tobacco ban on both its campuses on August 1, 2011, banning the use of all tobacco products. Almost six months later, students are not convinced the ban is working.
The leading policy statement states Texas State University is committed to maintaining healthy and safe campuses in San Marcos and in Round Rock. The ban applies to faculty, students, visitors and employers of contractors and subcontractors. The tobacco-free policy is not limited to cigarettes alone, but includes any form of tobacco.
The enforcement of this policy rests in the hands of the Texas State community; it is up to the on-campus community to report smoking violations. Section 3.01 states that any person who observes tobacco policy violations should inform the violator that the use of tobacco is prohibited. If the violator does not adhere to the policy, then it is up to the observer to report the violation to a management official.
Smokers and nonsmokers alike feel that the ban has proven to be ineffective so far.
Ishmael Johnson, mass communication major sophomore, a nonsmoker, does not think the ban will have an impact. “Instead of less smokers there are more cigarette butts on the ground,” Johnson Said. “The ‘community enforcement’ policy of the smoking ban does not work because people are apprehensive about confronting their peers.”
Another student, Ashley Moran, chemistry major freshman, agrees that the smoking ban is ineffective. Moran, a smoker of one year, does not think the university can do anything to better enforce the ban. “It’s such a big campus that it would be hard to enforce it,” Moran said. “And it would be really hard to also.”
Texas State University President Denise Trauth made a statement concerning the policy in April 2011. “Our decision to become a tobacco-free university is based on the scientific evidence regarding the harmful health risks of tobacco,” Trauth said.
Trauth also included information regarding resources available to both students and faculty that want to quit smoking, including telephone hotlines and online cessation programs. Additionally, smoking cessation programs are available to employees through their health insurance plans as well as to students at a discounted rate through the Texas State Student Health Center.
Even with these resources available, students still do not think the ban is going to have an impact. “You can make your own decisions,” said Natalie Oliver, interdisciplinary studies major sophomore. “It’s not going to stop the smokers.” Oliver herself is a smoker.
Ashley Winslow, interdisciplinary studies sophomore, is also a smoker. When asked how she feels about the smoking ban, Winslow said, “We get it, but it really hasn’t changed anything.”
sources:
Tobacco Policy:
http://www.txstate.edu/effective/upps/upps-04-05-02.html
President Denise Trauth’s Statement:
http://www.healthcenter.txstate.edu/SERVICES/tobacco-free.html
Ashley Miller
No comments:
Post a Comment