Tobacco-Free Campus Evaluated Six Months Later

The students are lighting up cigarettes after six months with a tobacco-free campus in place for Texas State University.

“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,” Denise Trauth, Texas State President said. “The university expects all (members of) faculty, students, employees of contractors and subcontractors, and visitors to comply with this policy’s spirit and intent.”

“Texas State became smoke-free inside all university buildings and vehicles in 2000 and several outside smoke-free zones were established in 2005,” Trauth said.

 In 2010, the smoking policy was scheduled for review and update. The smoking ban officially took effect August 1, 2011. The rules ban smoking cigarettes 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,” Emilio Carranco, M.D., M.S. Director of the Student Health Center, said. “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.”

Texas State students share opinions on the effect of the non-smoking policy.

“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, Colin Sutton, geography major said. “I feel like the smoking ban really pushes smokers into corners, literally, and makes us have to hide.”

 "I like it... I like it a lot,” James DeRoulac, finance major, said when asked about the non-smoking ban.

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

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

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. Even 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke can slow blood flow through the coronary arteries and increase the risk for blood clots,” www.smokefree.org said.

Texas State Student Health Center offers programs for all enrolled students to quit tobacco use and 

The Student Health Center Pharmacy offers medication discounts to help stop smoking.