AUM smoking policy under review
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 06:59PM 
AUM smoking policy under review
Eric Jenkins/ Staff Writer
Due to concerns of non-smokers, AUM has decided to revise its policy for smoking on campus. Because of the amount of complaints and the litter of cigarette butts found around campus, the administration feels there is a need for change.
Since 2006, AUM’s policy has been to designate areas for smoking. In this light, the new policy will not have a drastic change. However, there will be more strict enforcement of the policy for those who smoke in non-smoking areas. Jackie Roberts, Senior Director of Special Services, said “The problem with the old policy was that there was no real enforcement. This time around, there will be penalties.”
If caught smoking outside of a designated smoking area, the first offense is five dollars, the second is ten, and the third, along with any consecutive offense, is twenty. If they are a student, the third time offender will also have to meet with the discipline committee.
AUM students and faculty will have a chance to let their voice be heard before the new policy is put into action. The policy will remain posted at aum.edu under proposed policies until Nov. 10. Any future changes to the policy will depend on the comments posted by faculty and staff. The site also provides a map of the campus, highlighting areas that will be designated for smoking.
Freshmen Audra Creamer and Brandon Owens agreed that the new policy is a good idea. Creamer feels the smoke is disgusting and makes the school seem dirty, while Owens feels the smoke is harmful to others who suffer from illnesses. When asked what their opinion was, smokers were split on the decision. Some felt that they shouldn’t have to be huddled up in areas like a dog with a fence, while others understood that non-smokers could get sick.
Roberts stated that the committee working on this policy looked at, both smokers and non-smokers rights, and they felt this policy would satisfy both parties.
Pictured below is a map of the proposed areas.
Reader Comments (6)
I believe this proposal is way out of line and this is coming from a non-smoker. Charging smokers for smoking in public and attempting to start this policy within months is out of line and coming extremely close to crossing the line of smoking rights. Will areas be constructed within a month for smokers, since the current non-smoking areas happen to be the most dry and comfortable places on campus. This policy is another way to target a group of students and pinch dollars out of their pockets and state that its a health conscious decision. Outdoor secondhand smoke is harmful, but studies show non-smokers need six feet to avoid second smoke (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070502181454.htm). This proposal is not viewing smoker rights. From the looks of it, It sounds like non-smokers are only thinking of themselves wanting to round-up smokers into little controlled habits.
This is what I believe should be done to prevent campus littering and second-smoke exposure, these new smoking areas should be just as comfortable, dry, and conveniently accessible for in-between class breaks and have plenty of ashtrays. The penalties should not be an increasing for each offense. If any charge exist, it should be a flat $5 for each offense. If a particular student is consistently smoking in designated non-smoking areas over a short period of time, I think a discipline action could be used.
I do see the benefits of this proposal. I just believe this is too extreme for students who are equal to non-smokers and who are paying the same amount of money to be in school.
Smoking is not a "right" despite the fact it is legal...
well, well. I'm glad I have people who are obviously smarter and more capable of making my own decisions than I am around to inform me of my rights. I smoke ony in designated smoking areas, take appropriate measures to be respectful of others, and throw my butts away in the nearest ashtray everytime. Other than physically seeing me in the act, you'd never feel any impact of my habit. Accordingly, please refrain in the future from arbitrarily telling other responsible citizens in a free society what their rights are.
just give us the tree. thats all we want. ashtrays at the tree. wish i could give you a well informewd opinion, but i cant. i just want the tree.
Everyone is up in arms about "second hand smoke" and its "harmful effects". If you want the truth behind the effects of second hand smoke look at studies done in EUROPE! Americans have this lovely habit of hoping on the Media band wagon. If the news states that Avocado trees may cause breathing troubles if you stand within 20ft, everyone will follow like a mass of dumb sheep. "second hand smoke" is only harmful if you are indoors, with poor ventilation. Outdoors on the other hand, the harmful smoke is dispersed within 1 foot. This means if you want the negative effects of smoking you must stand one foot in front of the smoker.
The state law about smoking is you must be twenty feet from the entrance to a building. Guess what, AUM is a state funded college, What gives them the right to go above the law?
Look at the numbers for deaths caused in Alabama. The number one cause of death is obesity related illness, not smoking related deaths. I propose that state either passes out cigarettes (which are a natural anti-depressant, and hunger suppressant), Or taxes fast food as much as they tax cigarettes. Maybe if people stopped complaining about what other people do, and get off of their butt to take a jog every now and then maybe, just maybe, the #1 cause of death may be smoking related, but the people who die will be smokers not the people standing 10 feet away.
Oh, and who is going to ticket the Campus police? If you are on campus at night you will see them smoking in no smoking areas. Isn't that kind of odd? Getting a fine from someone who was doing the exact same thing?
Yeah. Tax fast food, I agree completely with that.