Tobacco Ban Effectiveness Questioned
Seven months after Texas State University’s tobacco-free
campus policy was enacted on August 1, 2011, students are having mixed feelings
about its effectiveness.
The ban prohibits the use of tobacco on all parts
of campus. This includes Sewell Park, the Golf Course, Bobcat Stadium and all
university athletic or recreational fields. The ban was a response to the
growing evidence of harmful effects of smoking and exposure to second-hand
smoke.
Two surveys conducted in 2010 by the National
College Health Assessment both showed overwhelming support for a smoke free
campus. The surveys showed that 65% of students and 45% of faculty were in
favor of a smoke-free campus.
“Our decision to become a tobacco-free university
is based on the scientific evidence regarding the harmful effects and health
risks of tobacco,” said university president Denise Trauth in a 2011 official university-wide
email.
According to the policy, the university
prohibits the use of all tobacco products on all university property. Tobacco
products include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco and all other
tobacco products.
Some students feel that the ban has made and will
continue to make a positive difference.
“The number of people smoking has gone down as far
as I can tell,” said Savannah Hughes, agriculture sophomore. “The air smells
much better.”
“It’s one of the best things to happen on campus in
a long time,” said Colin Sutton, geography junior.
However, there are many students out there that feel
the ban has made little or no difference.
Ashley Moran, a chemistry freshman,
feels that the ban is not very effective. “It is pointless because people
don’t pay attention to it,” said Moran.
Jamie Peterson, a technical communications graduate
student, said she likes the ban, but she doesn’t think it is working. “I see
people smoking all the time.”
“If no one is cracking down, people will continue
to smoke,” said Natalie Oliver, interdisciplinary studies sophomore.
Although the two sides feel differently about the effectiveness
of the ban, both sides agree that they don’t like all the trash they see on the
ground.
Students argue that the ban has made the campus
ground an ashtray. “Instead of less smokers there are more cigarette butts on
the ground,” said Ishmael Johnson, mass communication sophomore.
Tiffany Rainey, an English junior, misses the
ashtrays on the trashcans. “I don’t like seeing all the buds on the ground,”
said Rainey.
Some students hope for a compromise. Rainey
feels that the ban should be lifted and there should be designated smoking
areas. Many others agree.
“I feel like the smoking ban really pushes smokers
into corners,” said Colin Sutton, geography junior. “Maybe a better solution
would be to have designated smoking areas.”
Although the ban’s effectiveness is questioned, Texas
State is standing by its decision and is continuing to encourage students who
want to quite smoking. The Student Health Center provides numerous options for
those who decide it is time to put their cigarette out for good.
The Student Health Center Pharmacy offers smoking
cessation medications at 25 to 50 percent discounts from retail prices. A
variety of resources are available including online smoking cessation programs
and telephone quitlines. These resources and phone numbers can be found on the
Texas State Health Center website at www.healthcenter.txstate.edu.
Kelsey Kotzur
Sources:
1.
UPPS 04.05.02 Tobacco Policy-
http://www.txstate.edu/effective/upps/upps-04-05-02.html
2.
National College Health Assessment
http://www.achancha.org/
3.
Denise Trauth-http://www.healthcenter.txstate.edu/SERVICES/tobacco-free.html
4.
Texas State Student Health Center-
http://www.healthcenter.txstate.edu/
5.
Savannah Hughes
6.
Colin Sutton
7.
Ashley Moran
8.
Jamie Peterson
9.
Natalie Oliver
10.
Ishmael Johnson
11.Tiffany
Rainey
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