Smokers are encouraged to back off
Chalk markings around campus building entrances, aimed to educate students about the 25-foot rule of no smoking, have created controversial emotions among students.
The Student Wellness Center, in conjunction with the Utah State University Tobacco Task Force, sponsored National Kick Butts Day by educating students about the 25-foot rule and the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act. The rule requires that individuals who smoke need to be at least 25 feet away from an entryway or window.
Several buildings around campus, including the Student Taggart Center, both libraries, and student housing, had chalk lines drawn to demonstrate where smoking is not permitted. This project was designed to educate students about states laws, said Amber Tubbs, health education supervisor at the Student Wellness Center. However, some students do not support this project.
“There has been some resistance,” Tubbs said. “They’ve [students] not been happy with us.”
Corbin McKinlay, a junior majoring in psychology, supports the wellness center in educating students about the rule.
“I think it’s great,” McKinlay said. “I think a lot of people are ignorant to health costs.”
However, being a smoker, McKinlay said he initially felt insulted by the project.
“My first reaction was being offended, because I know what the law is and I felt like someone was being pushy,” McKinlay said. “And frankly, I don’t agree with the law.”
McKinlay said he does not agree with the state law because he does not believe there is a significant difference if he smokes “25 feet away from a building or five.”
“I believe smoking outside is healthier for everyone,” McKinlay said. “I don’t believe I am going to give anyone cancer by smoking right outside the door.”
The Student Wellness Center gave individuals who were abiding the 25-foot rule coupons for Hazel’s bread, and those individuals who were not abiding the law received an information card stating the stipulations of the rule, Tubbs said.
Tubbs said. “If [students] choose to smoke and are outside the 25-foot zone, we want to show we appreciate them.”
Along with the coupons and information cards, Tubbs said, individuals received cards containing information about the tobacco quit-line.
“We are encouraging [students] to quit as well,” Tubbs said. “It is definitely not a healthy habit.”
The general response from students is one of support, Tubbs said, and most students think it is a great idea. Students are not the only ones who believe this project is a positive thing. Staff and faculty think there has been a problem with individuals not following regulations and support any form of awareness, Tubbs said.
“I definitely think it is a positive thing,” said Angie Hammond, diversity vice president. “Most international students don’t know about the law, and it’s a good way to casually educate them.”
Bonnie Olsen, a freshman majoring in English, said she supports the project but does not have a problem with students smoking, “as long as they are away from a building, they should be able to do it.”
“I think [the project] is a good idea,” Olsen said. “It shows a smoker how far it is, instead of guessing. It’s farther away than you actually think it is going to be.”
The chalking for the project began on Tuesday, Tubbs said, with the aid of more than 10 volunteers.
“We had a lot of people actually stop and thank us for chalking the lines because the smoke has been an irritant to them,” Tubbs said. “I felt like the chalk lines were a very good way of teaching all students, staff, and faculty what the law actually is.”
Katey Stroud, a freshman majoring in social work, said she volunteered because she is a peer health educator through the wellness center and thinks the project is beneficial. Stroud said she did not see anyone violating the 25-foot rule Wednesday.
The project is based on educating students about smoking regulations, Hammond said. Being involved with the project would give a new perspective to international students, Hammond said, who constitute a large percentage of students who smoke.
However, Hammond said she received slight resistance from the ASUSU board because people were concerned about the project offending students and that no smokers were involved with the task force.
Rachel Johnson, a junior majoring in horticulture, said she does not always follow the 25-foot rule, but thinks it is a good thing to educate the campus about it. However, Johnson said she feels like smokers should have rights as well.
“I think smokers are discriminated against more and more,” Johnson said.
Johnson and McKinlay both offered suggestions about the campus incorporating a designated smoking pavilion or room.
“Being 25 feet away from the building, we are cold and wet and snowed on, ” McKinlay said.
Hammond said she would support the incorporation of a designated smoking area, but also feels there might be resistance or a feeling of alienation.
“Most can’t help the fact they are addicted to it,” Hammond said. “The last thing I want is a smoker feeling discriminated against.”
-kcashton@cc.usu.edu