In a Sept. 24 meeting, Skyline’s College Council planned to move ahead in creating a smoke-free policy on campus.

According to the minutes of a College Council meeting on Aug. 27, there has been “some frustration on campus about the smoking policy not being successful.” The current smoking policy on campus has been in place for two years.

The majority of Skyline’s clubs and committees are in favor of a smoke-free policy, but College Council does not want to take action until the Associated Students agree. The ASSC is concerned whether or not a smoke-free policy will be accurately enforced on campus.

“No one ever says anything to people smoking on campus now,” said Brittany Piccolotti, the vice president of ASSC. “How are they going to reinforce this new policy?”

With the formal decision still up in the air, some Skyline students want their voices to be heard.

“[The decision to create a smoke free campus] is irrelevant,” said Michael Hofler, a full time student at Skyline, who is also a smoker. “Even if they pass this policy, people won’t abide by the rules…just like they don’t now.”

Vicki Morrow, the president of Skyline College, is in support of a smoke free policy, but also believes that there needs to be “careful planning” regarding the enforcement of such policies.

The people in support of a smoke-free policy on campus look at smoking as a public health issue, not a rights issue reasoning that “smoke is hazardous to not only smokers but people inhaling second hand smoke,” according to the College Council minutes.

Ray Hernandez, who led a widespread smoking survey, and is in support of a smoke-free policy, not only wants a smoke free campus, but believes there should be no smoking on campus at all, including parking lots. According to the College Council minutes, “his research shows that people wanted either designated smoking areas or not smoking at all on campus.”

“I think a new policy will be better on campus,” said Mark Bchuti, a part-time student at Skyline who is not a smoker. “Smoking can affect you in the future, and I don’t like to surround myself with smokers.”

While Skyline’s College Council plans to take action regarding the smoking policy during their next meeting, the ASSC is planning to gather more information and talk to more students regarding this issue.

“As long as I still get to smoke, I think whatever decision they make is awesome,” said Ryan Hanke, a part-time student, and a smoker.

As for now, the ASSC will meet Thursday, Sept. 25 in order to further discuss this topic, while the College Council is ready to implement the changes once a decision is finalized.