Texas State Tobacco-Free Progress (Story 2 Final)

Texas State Tobacco-Free Progress

Students are continuing to light up cigarettes six months after a tobacco-free policy was set in place for Texas State University, leaving many with divided reactions.

“As Texas State becomes a tobacco-free institution, the use of any tobacco products will be prohibited on all university properties and in vehicles owned or leased by the university,” Texas State president, Denise Trauth, said in a university-wide email. “The university expects all faculty members, students, employees of contractors and subcontractors, and visitors to comply with this policy’s spirit and intent.”

Texas State University’s Tobacco Policy has had over a decade of progress by becoming smoke-free inside all university buildings and vehicles in 2000 and several outside smoke-free zones were established in 2005. In 2010, the smoking policy was scheduled for review and update.

The tobacco ban officially came in to effect August 1, 2011. According to the Texas State University’s Tobacco Policy, the rules ban tobacco use on all parts of campus including Sewell Park, the Golf Course, Bobcat Stadium and all university athletic or recreational fields.

“Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco and all other tobacco products,” the director of the student health center Emilio Carranco, M.D., M.S., said.  According to the university’s official tobacco policy, “The University will deal with tobacco policy violations on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the university’s established disciplinary policies. Persons that repeatedly violate the tobacco policy should be reported to the appropriate administrative official.” 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Secondhand smoke exposure can increase a nonsmoker’s risk for heart disease or lung cancer by up to 30 percent.”

“It is the third leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.,” according to a published report on http://www.smokefree.org said. The website also states, “Even 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke can slow blood flow through the coronary arteries and increase the risk for blood clots.”

Texas State students are divided on the effect of the tobacco-free policy.

“It's a good idea,” Colin Sutton geography junior said.  “I wish I didn't smoke, but I do. I agree that second hand smoke is not healthy, and the cigarette butts also cause a littering problem on campus. I feel like the smoking ban really pushes smokers into corners, literally, and makes us have to hide.”

"Second-hand smoke is deadly around you, even on skin and clothes from the person sitting next to you,” Ronald Cichocki, history senior said.

“People talk and get angry,” Tiffany Rainey, English junior said. “They feel it (the ban) was a misrepresentation of people who actually gave input. I don't want to smoke. I have a need and if the ban is enforced I'll quit."

Many students have opinions about the location of the tobacco-free ban. 

“I know a lot of people are upset about it and I know there is a lot more tension between smokers and nonsmokers," Hannah Schneiderman English sophomore said. "I don't like it because you should be able to smoke where you want to."

"I don't smoke, and I'm allergic to smoke, Collin Couey,” English senior said. “I don't think it should be banned. I think they should have made designated smoking areas. I don't like walking behind someone who is smoking but I don't think they should've gone straight to a ban."

The Texas State Student Health Center offers a free smoking cessation program for all enrolled students. The smoking cessation program includes assessment, educational resources and support by a trained nursing staff. Telephone help lines include: The American Cancer Society 1-877-YES-QUIT (1-877-937-7848) and the National Cancer Institute 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).