SGA rejects possibility of campus-wide smoking ban

On Tuesday the Student Government Association (SGA) passed a resolution to prohibit smoking within 30 feet of main buildings.

The current regulations in place on campus have only a 10-foot restriction. The SGA did not endorse the idea of a complete ban against smoking on campus.

Nineteen members of the SGA voted in favor of the resolution while seven members voted against it.

An earlier proposal for a resolution had been put forth by the student group Hopkins Kicks Butts (HKB), a group seeking to reduce smoking and secondhand smoke exposure on campus.

Senior class senator Abby Duggan said that in considering the resolution, "We [the SGA] have to consider the level of convenience versus the level of threat . . . and I think this resolution finds a middle ground."

Junior class president Nick Gilson agreed and mentioned that the SGA has a duty to both smokers and non-smokers on campus.

"We represent the entire student body," he said. "And we do have to be concerned with student backlash."

Sarah Durica, the president of HKB was present at the meeting. Although she acknowledged that the passage of this resolution was progress, she also expressed disappointment.

"I would like to emphasize that we do have the scientific evidence to support how effective a campus-wide smoking ban would be . . . but I do appreciate that the SGA has taken this step to consider this," Durica said.

She referenced a court decision stating that someone's right to smoke should not be considered above a person's right to health.

Freshman president Wyatt Larkin countered with the argument that until legislation states otherwise, the right to smoke does exist.

"Until there is a law that says otherwise, or the administration says otherwise, people do a have a certain right to do what they want," he said.

Sophomore senator Mark Dirzulaitis also commented on the possibility of increased density of secondhand smoke in areas immediately off-campus.

"You could have this increased amount secondhand smoke just off-campus in heavily trafficked areas," he said.

Dirzulaitis added, "I just think that a full-out ban would create de facto smoking areas just off campus."

Many SGA members simply questioned the feasibility of enforcing a campus-wide ban and emphasized the importance of taking gradual steps towards the possibility of a smoke-free campus.??

Sophomore senator Karen Poreh did add that she was not opposed to raising the possibility of a full smoking ban in the future, although the resolution states that the SGA would not support such a measure.

The evidence put forth by HKB, a study performed by Repace Associates, a consulting service that focuses on the effects of second smoke, showed that secondhand smoke can be detected at a distance of 23 feet, showing the current ten foot boundary to be ineffective in preventing secondhand smoke exposure.

The amended resolution also did not support the imposition of a fine on students smoking. The original HKB proposal had included implementation of a $15 fine for students smoking in areas too close to buildings.

The resolution also did not forbid student events promoting tobacco, stating that such an act would, "unfairly limit the free expression rights of student groups on campus."

The resolution will be sent to Susan Boswell, dean of student life, and to Paula Burger, dean of undergraduate education. They will decide whether to put the resolution into effect. Students had mixed reactions to the SGA's decision.?

"I feel like it is a good decision because it will add to the quality of life and quality of air around campus . . . I feel like, I'm not a smoker, but if a smoker is smoking near me, they're forcing me, in a way, to take in the secondhand smoke that I don't want to take in," junior Ariel Zhao said.

"I'm not a smoker myself but I think that's kind of questionable. In terms of smokers' rights I've always thought you can do what you want," Edmund Ruge said.

"If you're outside not bothering anyone it's okay. In terms of secondhand smoking, I don't think 30 feet is going to have an effect either way on people who aren't smoking so I guess I'm opposed to [the ban]."

- Additional reporting by Peter Sicher