Upcoming tobacco policy shift
Written by Emily Jones
Photos from Wikimedia Commons
This spring, the Georgia Board of Regents voted to ban smoking on public college campuses. This rule change includes e-cigarettes, which are increasing in popularity.
The action has stirred controversy among both smokers and non-smokers. The rule change is insensitive to smokers, particularly college students, said Columbus State University student Alicia Ensz.
“A lot of times, when [a smoker] can’t get their fix, they’re a nervous wreck,” said Ensz. “It becomes hard for them to focus on their studies. Especially during midterms and finals. It’s the one, sure-fire way to calm themselves down. That’s why I occasionally smoke.”
“It is agreed among many students that focusing on the issue of smoking is a distraction from more important priorities,” she added.
“There are a lot more things people can do besides banning smoking to help colleges out,” Ensz said. “About a month ago someone was shot on campus and people are allowed to bring knives. They don’t increase security on that, yet they’re going to ban smoking.”
Non-smoker Clifford Patterson, a student at another Georgia public college, said that banning smoking on college campuses isn’t really going to solve the issue because they’ll just go somewhere else to smoke.
“They already know the risk, they know it’s harmful,” Patterson said.
Since SCAD is a private college, the law does not apply to students here.
SCAD’s personal smoking policy, according to their website, bans smoking in all academic buildings and residence halls, including courtyards and pool areas. This policy has already been in place for some time, but most public colleges have only a partial ban, where students can smoke on campus, just a few feet away from the exits and entrances of buildings.
“While I personally am against smoking, I don’t think anyone’s right to smoke should be taken away,” said Sara Mullins, a SCAD dramatic writing major and non-smoker.
The shift in policy will take effect October 1.
