Smoking policy might change

An amendment to IU's 1993 smoking policy is scheduled to be presented to the chancellor's office as early as today. The creators of the amendment want to restrict smoking to a certain distance away from doorways, windows and building ventilation systems around the IU campus.\nThe current policy bans smoking in all IU buildings and University-owned vehicles. Smoking also is banned in communal living areas of University-owned housing.\n"The committee will likely recommend a distance of 30 feet, mainly as a measurement of reference," said Dan Rives, committee co-chair and associate vice president of Human Resources.\nRives stressed that the 30-feet recommendation will not include barriers or demarcation, but will serve as a guide.\n"We researched the policy of other Big Ten schools and found in most cases anywhere from 10 to 50 feet," Rives said. \nThe impact the proposed amendment will have on the day-to-day routines of smokers is unclear. Indiana Memorial Union custodian and smoker Joe Jacobs said he didn't foresee drastic problems if the new amendment is accepted.\n"It doesn't bother me at all," Jacobs said.\nAs a state institution, IU isn't bound by the city's new anti-smoking ordinance, but the University is concerned with consistency and cooperation with the city, Rives said.\n"I will confirm that it is not in the proposal to make IU-Bloomington (entirely) smoke free," Rives said.\nEven the current sanctions on smoking are viewed by some smokers as extreme and unnecessary, though.\n"It really can be considered against people's public right, and if you give up one right you might as well give up all your rights," a Bloomington Parks and Recreation employee and smoker said. \nThe employee said he understands the problem with inconsiderate smokers but advocated self-policing and didn't think simple manners could be legislated.\nRives said the committee was formed to examine the current policy in response to student, faculty and staff complaints about secondhand smoke entering buildings through doors, windows and building ventilation systems.\n"There were a couple of smokers on the committee," Rives said.\nThe amendment still has to be approved by the chancellor's office, and if adopted, will be in effect for the fall semester. \n"Smoking in winter, people will have to put on a coat just to be (30 feet) away from the building," the Parks and Recreation employee said. "I'd say just about everyone who works at IU would agree with me"