IU designates areas for smokers to light up

As senior Bashar Aburashed smoked outside of the Indiana Memorial Union, Monday afternoon he said he could already feel the new constraints the smoking ban placed on his life. \n“We all have an addiction,” he said. “I think IU needs to revise (the policy) because it might decrease the attendance of classes.”\nThe smoking ban, which was approved at an IU board of trustees meeting in February 2007, went into effect Jan. 1.\nThough students might oppose the ban, Dean of Students Dick McKaig said he hopes students will choose to obey it.\n“Students are here to be students, not smokers,” he said. “They should look at this as just another requirement to attend IU.” \nAlthough it will take time to get used to, administrators do not see this as a substantial setback. The policy still allows smokers to light up in designated areas.\n“We are not viewing this as a major change,” said Bob Weith, director for residential operations. \nStudents living in campus housing have a designated smoking area nearby, and students and faculty can also smoke in a designated area near the IMU. Each designated area will have ash urns printed with the words “Thank you for making IU Bloomington a tobacco- and smoke-free campus.”\nKaren Hanson, IU Bloomington provost and vice president for academic affairs, notified the IU community in October 2007 about the upcoming smoking ban, according to an IU press release.\n“Implementation of the policy will depend upon the cooperation of all of us, and we want civility and collegial goodwill to guide us through this transition,” Hanson said in the press release.\nThe use or sale of tobacco products will be prohibited on campus, according to the press release. However, the current designated smoking areas near residence halls and the IMU are only temporary. IU will help students and staff who want to stop using tobacco by providing the Free & Clear Quit for Life Program. \nPartners of the program hope to see everyone comply with and enjoy the smoke-free atmosphere. If a student or faculty member is found smoking in a non-designated area, Weith hopes community members will simply ask that person to stop.\nMcKaig told the Indiana Daily Student in early November that he doesn’t think charges will be brought against anyone who violates 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 in the article.\nHowever, Weith said the University will most likely not take action against students if they are caught smoking. The enforcement of the policy is based on good merit, and community members are asked to monitor each other, Weith said.\nIU and all of its branch campuses are not pioneers in promoting a smoke-free atmosphere. Many bars, restaurants and even states have implemented a smoke-free policy. Illinois began enforcing its new smoke-free law Jan. 1. The law makes it illegal to smoke in all public places.\nTo learn more about the IU smoking ban, visit www.smokefree.indiana.edu/BL-policy.html.