Provost lays out possible smoking ban exceptions

The use of all tobacco products will be prohibited on University property starting Jan. 1, but Provost Karen Hanson might grant exceptions to the policy.\n“You can’t make addicted smokers cease addiction overnight,” Hanson said.\nThe policy states exceptions might be granted by the provost for the use of tobacco products in areas near resident facilities and the Indiana Memorial Union.\nFreshmen are required to live in residence halls, but some students come to IU unaware of the policy, Hanson said. Residential Programs and Services is proposing various exemption spots so tobacco users who live on campus can get through the transition period, Hanson said.\nThe IMU schedules conferences several years in advance, and people attending a conference may not have been informed that IU will be a tobacco-free campus, Hanson said.\nHanson took another step toward the implementation of IU’s new tobacco policy when she sent an e-mail to all IU-Bloomington students last week.\nStudents’ reactions to the policy vary depending on whether they use tobacco products.\nSenior Tyler Noland said he began smoking cigarettes when he started college. He said he planned to begin chewing tobacco again when the policy goes into effect, until he learned the policy encompasses all tobacco products.\n“I think that’s getting a little invasive because that doesn’t really affect anybody,” Noland said.\nThe policy doesn’t bother junior Patrick O’Marro because he doesn’t smoke. He said the policy is needed in certain areas of campus.\n“There’s so much secondhand smoke walking up to the library, you smell like a chimney when you get inside,” O’Marro said.\nO’Marro said he has sympathy for smokers, but everyone must follow rules they don’t agree with.\n“I just got pulled over for not wearing my seat belt,” he said. “I think that’s ridiculous, but it’s a law, and I have to follow it.”\nEnforcement of the policy will depend on the cooperation of all faculty, staff and students, according to the policy.\nAcademic employees who violate the ban will be referred to the Dean of Faculties. Staff will be referred to University Human Resources and students to the Office of the Dean of Students, according to the policy.\nDean of Students Dick McKaig said he doesn’t think charges will be brought against students for violations of the policy, but action will be taken against students through the regular campus judicial process, if necessary.\n“Ultimately if, after time for everyone to get acquainted with the policy, someone chose to consistently ignore the policy, they would be charged through the campus disciplinary system,” McKaig said.\nIU currently offers free smoking cessation programs for students at the Health and Wellness Department of the Health Center, according to Hanson’s e-mail. \nNeva Cottam was hired as a smoking cessation educator this year after the Health Center created the position. Her job is to teach smoking cessation classes to faculty and students as a provision of the policy. Cottam believes the new policy will be a positive change for IU, as more people will go to IU for conferences and see the University as a leader because of the tobacco ban. She said she expects IU to see more support and money come to the campus as a result.\nThe policy is the result of a directive initiated by former University President Adam Herbert at a board of trustees meeting last year, said IU spokesman Larry MacIntyre.\nA number of other college campuses are also going tobacco-free, Hanson said. There are 43 colleges in the U.S. that currently have smoking bans in place, and several are considering one, according to an April 9, Indiana Daily Student article. Ohio State joined IU and the University of Iowa as the third Big Ten university to consider a smoking ban. \nWhile some students may be against the policy, the campus has decided to move in a healthier direction, Hanson said.\n“I know people are concerned about having their behavior restricted, especially when it’s something legal, but the University does have the right to control what happens on its property,” Hanson said.