Welcome to our choice-free campus
Sarah Townsend
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Opinion
Why is it such a difficult task to have smoking areas? Because it is commonly believed that secondhand smoke at any level on campus will affect the health of students. Though anyone can cross the street and smoke legally, it wouldn't be any different to smoke on campus in a designated section except it would be much more convenient.
I did a little research on secondhand smoke to determine at what distance someone could smoke without negatively affecting the health of non-smokers in the area.
In a letter to Leroy J. Pletten, Greg Watchman from OSHA states, "Field studies of environmental tobacco smoke indicate that under normal conditions, the components in tobacco smoke are diluted below existing Permissible Exposure Levels (PELS.) as referenced in the Air Contaminant Standard (29 CFR 1910.1000)...It would be very rare to find a workplace with so much smoking that any individual PEL would be exceeded."
If you still don't buy the idea that under certain levels secondhand smoke is relatively safe for non-smokers, think about the fact that emissions from the cars on campus pose much more of a health risk than second-hand smoke.
The risk of cancer from secondhand smoke is significantly lower than that of exposure to pollutants from our gas tanks. Benzene is a highly toxic pollutant present in fuel emissions. In fact, 90% of air pollution's cancer risks come from motor vehicles according to the Alternative Fuels Institute.
As for passive tobacco use, such as chewing tobacco or "dip", it is really unknown why this is not permitted on campus. Of course smoking causes offense due to the health risks of second-hand smoke. However, chewing tobacco has zero effect on the air quality and produces no health risks to anyone other than the person partaking actively.
Using tobacco is a personal choice not the decision of the University which we pay to attend and live within the facilities. It is a requirement to live on campus until junior year unless you are a commuter who lives at home.
If you are legally an adult, it is outrageous to be told to smoke elsewhere when you must live on campus.
We aren't in middle school. We are college students capable of making our own decisions and taking responsibility for the health consequences that may result.
I did a little research on secondhand smoke to determine at what distance someone could smoke without negatively affecting the health of non-smokers in the area.
In a letter to Leroy J. Pletten, Greg Watchman from OSHA states, "Field studies of environmental tobacco smoke indicate that under normal conditions, the components in tobacco smoke are diluted below existing Permissible Exposure Levels (PELS.) as referenced in the Air Contaminant Standard (29 CFR 1910.1000)...It would be very rare to find a workplace with so much smoking that any individual PEL would be exceeded."
If you still don't buy the idea that under certain levels secondhand smoke is relatively safe for non-smokers, think about the fact that emissions from the cars on campus pose much more of a health risk than second-hand smoke.
The risk of cancer from secondhand smoke is significantly lower than that of exposure to pollutants from our gas tanks. Benzene is a highly toxic pollutant present in fuel emissions. In fact, 90% of air pollution's cancer risks come from motor vehicles according to the Alternative Fuels Institute.
As for passive tobacco use, such as chewing tobacco or "dip", it is really unknown why this is not permitted on campus. Of course smoking causes offense due to the health risks of second-hand smoke. However, chewing tobacco has zero effect on the air quality and produces no health risks to anyone other than the person partaking actively.
Using tobacco is a personal choice not the decision of the University which we pay to attend and live within the facilities. It is a requirement to live on campus until junior year unless you are a commuter who lives at home.
If you are legally an adult, it is outrageous to be told to smoke elsewhere when you must live on campus.
We aren't in middle school. We are college students capable of making our own decisions and taking responsibility for the health consequences that may result.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 9
Jeannie
posted 2/05/10 @ 10:26 AM CST
While you may have the right to choose whether to smoke, it does infringe on my health when you choose to smoke at the building door and the smoke billows into the building. (Continued…)
John
posted 2/05/10 @ 6:37 PM CST
However, smoking outside in the open air away from passerby on campus should not be a privilege. It's a social liberty says Alyssa Stanford, a freshman who states, "I completely understand the health hazards that correlate with it [tobacco use] however Tech didn't provide me or other smokers with a shelter or designated area. (Continued…)
Rob Shults
posted 2/12/10 @ 10:56 PM CST
But seriously. There's no way to enforce this. Campus police cannot be everywhere at once. I'm more concerned about getting robbed in capital quad than smoking. (Continued…)
Matthew
posted 2/27/10 @ 12:01 PM CST
The points were bland at best, but a good article all around. I'll just touch on this: "Firstly, how can this rule really be enforced campus wide? Tech police can't be everywhere at once, and I'd hope they'd be more concerned about the safety of the students and staff than catching people with cigarettes. (Continued…)
Sarah
posted 2/27/10 @ 12:22 PM CST
I see people smoke on South Patio at least once a week. They're really trying to enforce it(maybe) but I still see it.
Chris
posted 3/11/10 @ 7:39 AM CST
This is TBR ordinance. It is not a city, state or federal law. Therefore the University Police will not enforce it. Only if someone becomes unruly or disruptive will the UPD be called upon. (Continued…)
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