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Printer-Friendly ModeStudents relied on to report smokers outside buildings
October 17, 2005 —
SVSU has a no-smoking policy on campus. All University facilities and University vehicles are smoke-free environments from all smoking materials including chewing tobacco products.
SVSU does allow people to smoke on campus, with the stipulation that they do so 25 feet from any entrance to a building.
This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff members, and visitors to SVSU.
The 25 feet rule is posted on all buildings around campus, so most students know about it. But what most do not know is what would happen if they themselves or if anyone were caught in violation of this policy.
SVSU's smoking policy was established in order to promote public health and comply with the Michigan Indoor Clean Air Act, and the University's Clean Indoor Air Policy. The Michigan Indoor Clean Air Act prohibits smoking in public places, except designated areas.
This policy was also put in place in order to help keep the second hand smoke exposure to the non-smokers at a minimum. Secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers in the United States each year, according to SVSU Health Services.
A study found that nonsmokers exposed to environmental smoke were 25 percent more likely to have coronary heart diseases compared to nonsmokers not exposed to smoke.
Second-hand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and can cause some very serious health problems, including respiratory infections, asthma, heart disease, lung cancer, and nasal sinus cancer.
But whose job is it to make sure that people know and follow this policy? It is the responsibility of every person at SVSU to inform others of the Smoke-Free Environment Policy, says Marie Rabideau, coordinator of Student Conduct and assistant director of Residential Life.
"I do believe it is every individual's responsibility to assist SVSU in maintaining a smoke-free environment," she says. "No one individual or group should enforce this policy; it should be a community effort."
Enforcing the policy is in everyone's best interest, says Gloria Hansen, Health Services director.
"Air is something that we all share," she explains. "If we as a campus community do not care if others smoke, then enforcing this policy is impossible."
If anyone on campus wants to help enforce this policy, Rabideau says, then the next time they see someone smoking within 25 feet of a building entrance they should first inform the person that smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of any building entrance.
If they continue to see this person smoking within 25 feet of a building entrance they should ask the person for his or her name and whether he or she is a student, faculty member, staff member or visitor.
After acquiring this information, they need to go to Health Services, in Wickes 267. Here they will fill out the appropriate form regarding the person's name, the date, the location of alleged violation, and any other pertinent information.
Health Services will refer the matter to the proper regulating body.
Students will be referred to Rabideau, while employees will be referred to the director of Staff Relations, Jill Gushow. Visitors will be referred to University Police.
If the person refuses to identify him or herself, the person reporting the incident should contact the University Police, at 964-4141, for assistance.
Anybody caught violating this policy will be subject to discipline as with other violations of University policies, regulations and rules. State law also provides for a civil fine of not more than $100 for a first violation and a fine of not more than $500 for a second or subsequent violation of the Michigan Indoor Clean Air Act.
"I know that many people do break the policy," Hansen says. "We have had three complaints in the last several years - not because people do not break the policy, but because non-smokers do not want to confront a stranger or a friend about their smoking in areas, which are restricted."
So far this year there have been no formal complaints made, and in the past three years there have been no complaints made.
Health Services this semester will be selling "Quit Kits," which are worth $30, for $5.
There will also be some follow-up assistance available to those who are trying to quit smoking.