Topic: MU Student Senate supports tobacco ban on campus

[Herdthedrums1]

This debate has been going on since I came in 09. Does anbody ever think something like this will pass on campus? http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x1363968899/MU-Student-Senate-supports-resolution-for-tobacco-ban

[IH8WVU]

I hope so

[herdfan429]

It's already banned in all the buildings there's no need to ban it outside

[IH8WVU]

It's already banned in all the buildings there's no need to ban it outside

You obviously don't spend much time on campus, or you smoke and don't notice, but people that smoke stand right outside teh door of the building so you have to walk through this big fog of smoke to get to class.  It is aweful.  If they would just move it away from the buildings it wouldn't be so bad.

[Herdthedrums1]

I was thinking they should try to inforce what they have, the no smoking within so many of the doors policy would be a good start. If they cant inforce that how do they inforce a campus wide ban?

[RushnStudies]

They're doing this at North Texas starting in January. Smoking has been prohibited in all the buildings of course, and they have been pretty strict so far on making people stand at least 20 feet away from doors when they smoke. One professor of mine has stated that she'll go sit in her car in the parking lot and smoke when she wants to, but my understanding is that "on campus" would include her car, as well, if it's parked on campus. I'm wondering what the penalty is if she's caught... and whether enforcement efforts will lead to her being caught at all.

[Herdthedrums1]

Yeah I know atleast at the dorms there was the no smoking within() feet of the doors posted on the outside. I think it may be posted on the academic buildings too but no one ever inforces them. I wish they would, walking into a cloud of smoke right outside the door is disgusting. Not to bag on smokers but just take it a few feet from the exits and I would be fine personally. Was never sure why the signs were never inforced at Marshall. Also this particular banning would ban all forms of tobacco not just cigs.

[phillyherdfan]

The problem with all these smoking laws is enforcement.  Bars, restaurants make sense.  But, these 20 feet from any entry rules are hilarious.  I live in the city and this rule basically amounts to there being no place in the city that is legal to smoke... due to density, there are no entries that are 20 feet away from another.

[HERDFAN1999]

I don't think there is a need for places to smoke in public.  Multiple studies clearly show there is no level of 2nd hand smoke that is safe.  People should not have to walk through it on sidewalks or to enter a building.  I have no problem with them banning it on campus.  The university should encourage a healthy lifestyle as part of its mission.  Oh, and I smoked for about 20 years.

[spaldy]

Another excuse for the jack booted thugs to harass and ticket people. 

I don't smoke and I've found that many of the militants that drive this issue use it for an excuse to expand police and state powers.  It's ridiculous to think that we have millions of vehicles, coal fired power plants, volcanos and other naturally occurring pollutants and we give up a freedom so that we aren't subjected to second hand smoke outside a building.   

The days of indoor smoking in public places has all but gone so the next step is to extend it to areas that never really will have any public health consequence but will generate lots of money and power to the government worker with the badge. 

[Herdthedrums1]

Im just asking for them to step away from the doors, I can get away from it or go around it walking to and from class. Can't really avoid it when both entrances are covered with smoke. Especially Smith and Harris Halls, those two are the worst for it.

[spaldy]

Understand your point 100%.  I too, am always amazed that someone chooses to smoke right next to a doorway when there are plenty of other places they could move to that woudln't bother anyone.  I'm sure it's partly due to the fact that they are forced to go outside but they only make the situation worse by hanging around a doorway. 

However,  I'll also point out the old saying  "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".   The reality is that the state doesn't give two hoots about us.  They just want more laws to keep us under their boot. 

How would you like to be a good cop (they do have some of those) and have to enforce mickey mouse crap like this?    What a great way to build community support and respect for your thankless job.   

[Penn2moss]

Tons of schools, including WVU, have this ban.  We have contacted other schools and enforcement has not been an issue anywhere we have talked to.  You don't see people ignoring the rules and smoking in the buildings.  If you have been on campus recently, you know exactly how bad the smoke is outside Smith, Harris, and other buildings.

The fact that people still use products like this in the 21st century is beyond me.  Even my grandparents have quit smoking and they did it for decades.

[spaldy]

Tons of schools, including WVU, have this ban.  We have contacted other schools and enforcement has not been an issue anywhere we have talked to.  You don't see people ignoring the rules and smoking in the buildings.  If you have been on campus recently, you know exactly how bad the smoke is outside Smith, Harris, and other buildings.

The fact that people still use products like this in the 21st century is beyond me.  Even my grandparents have quit smoking and they did it for decades.



I guess that's kind of like alchohol, drugs, fatty foods, red meat,  and large cokes isn't it.   Funny how the ruling elite decide what's OK and whats not.  It's the perfect way to control you and fine/imprison anyone that does not fit their view.  Prison's and the court system are one of the fastest growing segments of our economy.  

That's the thing about governmental regimes.  Sooner or later your "ox will be gored".  

[Herdthedrums1]

Im thinking alot of the students are against it because it also ropes in other forms of tobacco, like smokeless tobacco. Im more in favor of really inforcing the rules we have. I have several friends who smoke ciger/pipe/hookah to relax occasionally from class, that would be banned under this too. I really don't see a clear winner here, It is a persons right to smoke but its also my right to walk away from it if it bothers me. Again I say just inforce the rules we have.

[Penn2moss]

Tons of schools, including WVU, have this ban.  We have contacted other schools and enforcement has not been an issue anywhere we have talked to.  You don't see people ignoring the rules and smoking in the buildings.  If you have been on campus recently, you know exactly how bad the smoke is outside Smith, Harris, and other buildings.

The fact that people still use products like this in the 21st century is beyond me.  Even my grandparents have quit smoking and they did it for decades.



I guess that's kind of like alchohol, drugs, fatty foods, red meat,  and large cokes isn't it.   Funny how the ruling elite decide what's OK and whats not.  It's the perfect way to control you and fine/imprison anyone that does not fit their view.  Prison's and the court system are one of the fastest growing segments of our economy.  

That's the thing about governmental regimes.  Sooner or later your "ox will be gored".  

lol you need to chill.

If you want to smoke, that is fine with me.  I could care less.  However, when your behavior affects me and others, it becomes an issue.

[spaldy]

I don't smoke.  I also dont drink soda or eat much red meat.

I'm also on a town council and have been in some meetings on smoking ordinances.  Very little talk of  public safety and a whole lot of talk of revenue and how to best enforce it.

Draw your own conclusion.

[herdfanwoody]

i don't care if people smoke, i could care less...that's theirown death wish .....but a campus wide ban is not gonna be the solution, cops are already supposed to ticket people if they are smoking withing 15 feet of a building...do you see this happening(i don't think so)... also i don't agree with a whole tobacco ban, what is someone chewing tobacco doing to you....absolutely nothing!!!! don't agree with it at all, enforce the rules we have like the smoking 15 feet from buildings and we'll be fine don't get your panties all in a wad!!!