Texas State Tobacco-Free

Sarah Bledsoe

Draft

Texas State University called into action the banning of tobacco on campus grounds. The university’s students maintain conflicting opinions about the ban and its effectiveness, or lack there of.

“Instead of less smokers there is more cigarette butts on the ground,” said Ishmael Johnson, a mass communication major. Along with Johnson, many students have not seen a positive outcome of this ban throughout campus.

The smoking ban, which was put into action Aug. 1, 2011, prohibits the use of tobacco on Texas State property. The included areas range from all athletic areas from the gulf course to Bobcat Stadium along with recreational site, such as Sewell Park.

            Many students raise the question about whether the ban is doing more harm than good. “It’s a good idea. 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. Maybe a better solution would be to have designated smoking areas,” said Colin Sutton, geography major.

            This is not the first time Texas State has tried to regulate smoking on campus. In 2000, Texas State banned smoking inside university buildings. In 2005, the university established smoke-free areas throughout campus.

            There are many who feel that the tobacco ban has been effective. “At tailgate, cops asked my fraternity brother to put out a cigarette because technically were still on campus,” said Alex Labutis, concrete industry management major.

            “I wasn’t here before the ban but I can tell you though at my undergrad, a lot of people smoked and I see less of that here,” said Jamie Patterson, mastering in technical communication.

            Denise Trauth, Texas State University’s President, said the reason she decided to enact the ban was because of scientific evidence stating the harmful effects of tobacco.