But recently, university officials in Maryland have taken a stand on a number of campuses to regulate public smoking. UMBC and College Park both endorsed plans that limit smoking on campus. In the case of UMCP, individuals are not allowed to smoke indoors or within 15 feet of any building entrance. at UMBC, students cannot smoke within 20 feet of a building entrance, and are restricted in common areas like Academic Row and on the Commons Patio. These policies are met with modest and ineffective enforcement methods.
In recent months, university officials have stepped up their game. Citing second-hand smoke and "butt" littering and driven by the stigma of smoking, officials hope to make their campus more attractive for visitors and prospective students. Last year, the Towson Administration rejected a regulatory plan that would permit smoking only at certain areas on campus. Instead, the Administration called for a completely "smoke-free" campus. The administration is in the process of "recieving feedback" from students on the idea. Students have expressed to me that these sessions have been more informative than conducive to conversation and discourse.
At UMBC, the Residential Life staff stepped up their game and overran the regulations in the policy. They outlined designated smoking areas for students and forced ResLife staff to enforce the policy. UMBC student Paula McCusker fought back, and successfully repealed the expanded interpretation of the Non-Smoking Policy. She tells about her experience on her blog.
CNN highlighted in 2007 trends in "smoke-free" campuses in an article.
The issue raises quite a question for student and campus leaders. Consensus has seemed to develop on the need to regulate smoking somewhat to protect those who choose not to smoke. Secondhand smoke has proven harmful, and it's simply unpleasant to walk through a cloud of cigarette smoke.
But to what extent should it be regulated? One of the major challenges is the lack of enforcement of such policies. Who is to police smoking? Some have suggested campus police and security, but don't they have more important things to be monitoring?
I believe students should have the right to smoke. And, if they live and work on a USM campus, we must find a way to accommodate to their needs and desires. At the same time, we must find ways for others on campus to be able to avoid smoke clouds. The best way to do this is to establish a realistic and respectful plan that allows students and community members to smoke in designated areas that are covered for the rain and snow in heavy-traffic parts of campus and allows students to smoke freely in less-trafficked parts of campus, away from building entrances. Without these accommodations, smokers will return the campus community with the same disrespect afforded to them. And the identified problem will remain.
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