IUSA proposes smoking ban

A resolution calling for a nonsmoking zone of 30 feet around all academic buildings was entertained by the IU Student Association at its meeting last Thursday.\nThe meeting -- a biweekly Congress session -- ended with heated debate and few conclusive results.\nHealth and Safety Director Brian A. Daviduke, a junior, sponsored the resolution and called building entrances "a decorative ashtray."\nThe resolution stated that smoking on college campuses has increased during the last four years. Because students have to walk through smoke as they enter or exit a classroom building, the resolution stated that the secondhand smoke is affecting student's health.\nDebate had to be limited to two minutes per speaker. IUSA members disagreed on the logistics and necessity of this proposal. Some said the resolution hindered the rights of smokers. \n"Your interests and rights are in conflict with theirs," said senior James Motter, representative from the Kelley School of Business. "No one owns the air."\nDaviduke said both sides must be balanced.\n"You have to weigh rights between non-smokers and smokers," Daviduke said.\nThis resolution would break up the concentration of smokers at the entrances of the buildings and require them to stand out away from the building on the sidewalks or lawns so as to diffuse the smoke. Smoking pavilions were not given consideration in the resolution, and smokers would no longer be able to use the awnings of some of the buildings to shield themselves from the weather. \nThe resolution's goal was to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke on students. Some members felt that this was an unnecessary and ineffective way to address health concerns saying that merely passing by smokers on the way to and from class was not concentrated or severe enough contact to bring second-hand smoke into play.\n"I think everyone can hold their breath for two seconds," said senior Willie Sutherland, senator from Read Center.\nSome IUSA members were concerned about the enforcement of this resolution. \n"We are trying to pass stuff that is obviously unenforceable," Sutherland said. "I think we'll be looking ridiculous."\nDaviduke said the resolution would be a suggestion, not a decree.\n"It is not IUSA's job to enforce," Daviduke said. "It is just a recommendation."\nSenior Jake Oakman, student body president, said IUSA would be more effective if it researched and worked out the logistics of a project or idea before bringing it before the administration.\n"They're more receptive to our ideas if we've done all the work," Oakman said. \nThe resolution states that the number of smokers on campus has increased. Members questioned whether this resolution accurately reflected the desires of students -- members' constituents. \n"IUSA shouldn't put their name on this because it does not reflect all the students," said senior Ilia Smith, Willkie Quad senator.\nThe issue of representation brought the discussion to a close without a vote on the actual resolution. It was sent back to committee to reconsider and revise. In the meantime, and before the resolution is brought forth again, members of IUSA were asked to seek out the opinions of their constituents on the issue.