Up in Smoke
Students question ban's effectiveness
Texas State University made another progressive step and became a tobacco-free campus on August 1, 2011.
The ban prohibits smoking and the use of any tobacco product anywhere on Texas State property, which includes Sewell Park, the Golf Course, Bobcat Stadium, parking garages, parking lots and all university athletic or recreational fields. The ban also prohibits smoking and the use of any tobacco product in university owned or leased vehicles.
In 2005, Round Rock opened as a smoke-free campus. Health concerns were the reason for making the San Marcos campus smoke-free as well.
In an April 2011 email to students, faculty and staff, Texas State University President Denise M. Trauth said our decision to become a tobacco-free university is based on the scientific evidence regarding the harmful effects and health risks of tobacco.
In 2010, the National College Health Assessment conducted two surveys which showed support for a tobacco-free campus. Sixty-seven percent of students were in favor of Texas State University becoming a completely smoke-free campus.
"It's one of the best things to happen on campus in a long time," said Seth Davis, a communication design senior.
However, not all students are in favor of the ban.
"I don't like it because you should be able to smoke where you want to," said Hannah Schneiderman, an English sophomore.
The growing question now is whether this ban is effective.
Like a majority of students, Jamie Peterson, a technical communications graduate student, doesn't believe the ban is effective.
"I don't think it's working," said Peterson. "I see people smoking all the time."
Students said one problem with the ban's effectiveness is its enforcement.
Texas State University's Tobacco-Free Policy states that the university expects that all Texas State community members and others who use tobacco products will voluntarily comply with this policy's spirit and intent. It also states that persons that repeatedly violate the tobacco policy should be reported to the appropriate administrative official.
Natalie Oliver, an interdisciplinary studies sophomore, said she nevers sees anyone enforcing the ban.
"If no one is cracking down, people will continue to smoke," said Oliver. "They will just hide more."
Collin Couey, an English senior, also doesn't see anyone enforcing the ban.
"I think it's more of an appearance thing for Texas State to be able to say we're a smoke-free campus," said Couey.
Students who are against the ban said designated smoking areas would be more effective than the ban.
"I think rather than ban it they should just make special areas for smoking," said Iza Martinez, a literature graduate student.
Unlike Texas State University, Texas Woman's University's Denton and Dallas campuses have designated smoking areas. However, like Texas State University, Texas Woman's University expects its students, faculty, staff and visitors to voluntarily comply with its smoking policy.
Both Texas State University and Texas Woman's University stress the importance of voluntary compliance in their smoking policies.
Davis also believes voluntary compliance is important in conjunction with the smoking ban.
"It's a rule," said Davis. "You've been informed, so abide by it."
With the effectiveness of the smoking ban in question, there are other places smokers can turn to for help with quitting.
The Student Health Center offers students a free smoking cessation program and discounted smoking cessation medications. For faculty and staff, the Student Health Center offers a smoking cessation program for a $10 charge.
There are also many online smoking cessation resources: Quitnet, Smoking Cessation by About.com, Smokefree.gov, My Last Dip and Smokeless Tobacco: A Guide For Quitting.
Even with the uncertainty of the smoking ban not all students have lost hope in it.
"In the long run, I think hopefully people will realize it's just too much trouble to walk off campus to smoke," said Peterson. "That's what I think is going to come out of it if I think positively."
Sources:
Texas State University President Denise M. Trauth, dt14@txstate.edu
Student Health Center, http://www.healthcenter.txstate.edu/SERVICES/tobacco-free.html
Texas Women's University, http://www.twu.edu/smoking-policy.asp, http://www.twu.edu/smoking-policy-faq.asp
Tobacco-Free Policy, http://www.txstate.edu/effective/upps/upps-04-05-02.html
Hannah Schneiderman, English sophomore, hs1174@txstate.edu
Jamie Peterson, technical communications graduate student, jp1755@txstate.edu
Natalie Oliver, interdisciplinary studies sophomore, no1029@txstate.edu
Collin Couey, English senior, cc1813@txstate.edu
Iza Martinez, literature graduate student, inm1@txstate.edu
Seth Davis, communication design senior, sd1310@txstate.edu
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