Story 2 Final_Judy Lynn Drazan

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

Smoke-Free Ban Leaves Students Divided

                Almost 7 months after the implementation of Texas State University’s smoke-free campus policy, students remain divided over whether the policy is necessary, useful and effective.

                After a 2010 sample survey of the student body, faculty and staff, an overwhelming majority – 67 percent of students and 75 percent of faculty – was in favor of a smoke-free campus.

                According to university President Dr. Denise Trauth in a campus-wide email, the smoke-free ban was proposed in light of the health, safety, and welfare of the students, faculty and staff.

                The policy states that “[t]he university expects all faculty, students, employees of contractors and subcontractors, and visitors to comply with this policy’s spirit and intent,” but some students do not feel that compliance with the ban is necessary.

                “It is pointless because people don’t pay attention to [the ban],” said chemistry major Ashley Moran. “Not a bad idea though.”

                Moran, who is an avid smoker, said that she believes the ban will have little impact on the campus and that it virtually cannot be enforced throughout the entire campus.

                “It’s such a big campus that it would be hard to enforce,” said Moran. “It would be expensive to also.”

                Others, like communication design major Seth Davis, are still firm believers in the smoking ban.

                “It’s one of the best things to happen on campus in a long time,” said Davis. “It makes it more pleasant for everyone walking around on campus.’

                Some students believe that if the ban was enforced correctly, the smoking ban could benefit the university more. Colin Sutton, a geography major and avid smoker, thinks the ban is a good idea.

                “I agree that secondhand smoke is not healthy and the cigarette butts cause a littering problem on campus,” said Sutton. “Maybe a better solution would be designated smoking areas.”

                When asked if the university should try another tactic, the suggestion of designated smoking areas was a popular recommendation for different reasons by several students.

                “[The ban] makes me feel ashamed,” said English major and smoker Tiffany Rainey. “I think they should alter it from a ban to designated areas.”

                Nonsmokers also feel as if designated areas for smokers to go would suffice.

                “I think rather than ban it they should just make special areas for smoking,” said literature major and nonsmoker Iza Martinez.

                The university hosts numerous programs in addition to the smoking ban to help smokers off tobacco products. A free smoking cessation program is available at the Student Health Center for students and is $10 for faculty and staff. The Student Health Center also provides access to discounted smoking cessation medications.

Tobacco Ban Effectiveness Questioned- Kelsey Kotzur

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

Campus Tobacco Ban Raises Questions

Sarah Bledsoe

Final Draft

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

In a press release, 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.  According to, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention “secondhand smoke contains more than 7000 chemicals (and) nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25-30%.”

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. Ishmael Johnson, a mass communication major said, “instead of less smokers there is more cigarette butts on the ground.”

On the other hand, there are many students 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. Jamie Patterson, mastering in technical communication said, “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.”

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.

            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.

Story 2 Final Draft- Megan Parrish

Tobacco Free Policy Leaves Campus Divided          

Texas State University passed a new policy on campus. As of August 1, 2011, both the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses are smoke and tobacco free. While the university had hoped the students would support the ban, some are not in favor.

            The policy prohibits all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco and all other tobacco products from being used anywhere on campus. This includes in any buildings or vehicles owned, leased, or under the supervision of Texas State, all outdoor fields, golf course, parking garages and lots, Sewell Park, University Camp, Freeman Ranch, and all outdoor stadia and grandstands for athletic and recreational fields. The policy can be found on Texas State University’s website.

In a press release, University President Denise Trauth said the policy was put in place based on the campus community’s wishes and health concerns. The Mayo Health Clinic states that secondhand smoke can cause a greater risk for lung disease, heart disease, and cancer.

The university expects all faculty members, students, and other employees to not only comply with the policy, but hopes they support it as well. Some students are in favor of the policy.

 “It’s a good idea,” said Colin Sutton, geography major at Texas State. “I wish I didn’t smoke but I do. I agree that second hand smoke isn’t healthy and cigarette butts also cause a littering problem on campus.”

Other students, however, did not agree with the policy.  “I think rather than ban it, they should just make special areas for smoking,” said Iza Martinez, another student at Texas State. “I don’t think it will really change anything that much, I just think people will hide it better.”

Some students believe that the ban won’t change anything. Natalie Oliver believes the ban won’t stop smokers. Ashley Moran and Jamie Peterson both agree that the ban has not made a difference. Ashley Winslow said that no one is enforcing the ban.

Other students have not only witnessed other smokers being asked to put it out, but have been asked themselves to put their cigarettes out. “At tailgate, cops asked my fraternity brother to put out a cigarette,” said Alex Labutis, a Texas State student. “Technically we were still on campus.” “I have been approached by campus authority,” Sutton said. “He let me know if I didn’t put [my cigarette] out, I would get a ticket.”

Students Reaction Divided (final draft)

Bria Lott
Story 2

Students Reaction Divided 

On the first day of classes in fall of 2011, Texas State students were introduced to a new campus wide tobacco ban. It has been about 7 months since the ban and students remain divided on the issue. 

This is the first zero tolerance policy put into action. At first there were just designated no smoking spots in high-traffic areas like in the Quad but now there is no tobacco everywhere. The ban was put into place due to the harmful effects of directly using tobacco and second-hand smoke. 

A recent survey done by the National College Health Assessment showed that 67 percent of Texas State students prefer a tobacco free environment. President Denise Trauth is looking forward to a promising future without tobacco use on campus. 

“This tobacco-free policy will help to reduce health risks and create a healthier and safer university,” said Dr. Trauth. 

The university has taken the steps necessary to move toward a smoke-free campus. The student Health Center has started offering discounted medication and free smoking cessation programs to help wean people away from tobacco. 

There are a considerable amount of nonsmokers on campus. But the students who have been smoking for years find this ban unfair and judgmental. 

Senior Tiffany Rainey said things like “I feel ashamed” because people tell her, “You’re wrong for that," since she needs to have a cigarette as a stress reliever every now and then. 

The divide among smokers and nonsmokers is obvious and aggressive. The divide will continue to get bigger  now that smoking is not allowed and the people who light up behind buildings will be judged with even more tenacity. 

Meanwhile some students believe, “It’s a positive change for the school,” said Courtney Williams a social work junior, “I don’t smoke, I’ve always hated it.” 

Some are hopeful about Texas State’s future as a smoke free campus. They believe this change is for the better and that it will take some getting use to. History major RJ Cichocki, said the air will be cleaner and the library breezeway won’t be a smoke tunnel anymore. 

When Natalie Oliver was asked, "how do you think it will affect campus in the long run?" She said that if no one is cracking down, people will continue to smoke, they will just hide more.

Students are not confident in the rules set in place, they are questioning whether or not these guidelines are enforced enough to actually make an impact. 

When asked, "what can the university do to better enforce the smoking ban?" Chemistry major Ashley Moran said, "Nothing. It's such a big campus that it would be hard to enforce it and it would be really expensive to also."  

Tobacco-Free Campus Going up in Smoke (FinalDraft)

Last fall, Texas State University initiated a new policy prohibiting the use of tobacco products on its campus. President Dr. Denise Trauth confirmed the decision through a policy announcement last April after much student feedback on the issue.

According to the policy announcement, the decision to go smoke-free originated from scientific evidence suggesting harmful effects and health risks from tobacco use. This decision was supported by a majority of students and staff based on a survey conducted in 2010. More than 2500 people responded to the survey, with 67 percent of the student body and 75 percent of the faculty and staff favoring a smoke-free campus.

Texas State University went forward with this information and became one of the largest public institutions to prohibit tobacco products on its campus. But recent feedback has caused some to question whether the ban was too ambitious of a feat for the university.

Ashley Moran, chemistry freshman, smokes to relieve stress and does not believe that the smoking-ban will have an impact on the university. Moran considers the ban pointless because many students do not comply with it.

Indeed, many students seem to have not taken notice to the ban and continue to smoke around and behind buildings. The ban is campus-wide and prohibits the use of all tobacco products.

When asked what the university could do to better enforce the prohibition, Moran said, “Nothing. It’s such a big campus that it would be hard to enforce it and it would be really expensive to also.”

As of last fall, Texas State University had more than 32,000 students enrolled in classes.

Ishmael Johnson, mass communication sophomore, thinks that the ban can be better enforced if university police increase their patrol around and behind buildings. Johnson does not think that the community enforcement expectation of the policy statement is enough to enforce the smoking-ban because people are apprehensive about confronting their peers.

“I think it has raised more problems and a complete ban wasn’t the correct way to go about the smoking situation,” Johnson said. “Instead of less smokers there is more cigarette butts on the ground.”

But there are those who are more optimistic about the ban. Danielle Blackburn, political science freshman, thinks that over time the student body will get used to the smoke-free campus and comply with less restraint.

Shakeil Kanish, mass communication freshman, goes so far as suggesting the university put all smokers in jail.

The issue boils down to a tobacco prohibition with a feeble bite. The first part of the compliance section in the policy statement reads, “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.”

The university has taken several steps to wean students off of tobacco by providing a free smoking cessation program for students via the Student Health Center. Faculty and staff can access this program for $10.