The Skyline View

Date created: 5/2/05 Section: OPINION

The Health and Safety Committee has recently been discussing the possibility of establishing designated smoking areas on campus that would enforce the state law that requires a 20-foot non-smoking zone around doorways, windows and air vents.

These suggested designated areas are necessary, as the signs currently posted have done little in keeping school building entryways smoke-free. Those who smoke too close to college campus buildings aren't just breaking some silly little rule set by the campus-they are in violation of California Government Code.

However, the law has not been formally enforced. The California Department of Health Services Tobacco Control Section strongly recommends that appropriate signs concerning the law are posted and to move ash trays at least 20 feet from main entrances, exits, and operable windows in an effort to promote self-enforcement. However, if you've been breathing near any campus buildings recently, you probably realized self-enforcement is not working.

This is not the first time designated smoking areas have been proposed; a similar proposal was presented to the College Council in November 2002. It was rejected partially because the restricted areas would be difficult to enforce.

Complete bans on smoking have been proposed, and often instated, on other campuses. The Journal of American College Health (Vol. 49, No. 5) reports that 81 percent of American universities prohibit smoking in public areas. This number is rising, as many other colleges are pushing to enforce campus-wide bans, some of which even apply to dormitories and other housing.

Recently, the Faculty Senate at Fullerton College rejected a proposed measure to make the college completely smoke-free. Some of the concerns against this measure included doubt about the ability to enforce the ban as well as issues raised by teacher unions, whose members enjoy the right to reasonable smoke breaks.

While smokers may feel discriminated against for a habit they have every legal right to have, that habit often involves those who do not share it, leading to inevitable conflict. Having set areas on campus where smoking is permitted appears to be a reasonable compromise.

The Health and Safety Committee is welcoming suggestions for where the areas are to be set. Feel free to write the committee at skyhealth@smccd.net. It is at least refreshing to see that those responsible for our health are serious about creating these areas and enforcing the law. Hopefully, unlike past attempts, they're not just blowing smoke.

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