Chancellor Sorensen and I have at least one thing in common: we’ve both seen an increase in the number of students smoking on campus. The problem, though, is that the University of Wisconsin-Stout has a campus-wide ban on smoking.
What is the punishment for not complying with this ban? Well, the punishment is supposed to be “social disapproval.” To illustrate what I mean, imagine that a student started walking around campus wearing their backpack on their chest instead of their back. They would probably get a bunch of weird looks, right? It’s supposed to be kinda like that– but it’s not working.
On April 10, 2012, Chancellor Sorensen reaffirmed his support of the campus-wide smoking ban.
“Most of our students, faculty and staff are complying with this policy,” said Sorensen, “but those who choose to violate it are making life difficult for everyone else. Therefore, I would like to restate my strong support for the policy and the need for compliance.”
There are a few things wrong with this statement. First of all, “most of [the] students, faculty and staff” probably don’t smoke, so it’s inherently easy for them to comply with the policy. As for the evildoers who “choose to violate [the policy],” they are making life difficult for everyone else! Except, no one seems to be saying anything about it– at least to the extent that would make the ban regulatable.
This leaves UW-Stout with two options: either remove the campus-wide smoking ban entirely or punish those who don’t abide by this ban. In his public statement to the campus, Chancellor Sorensen noted that he prefers voluntary compliance, but added that UW-Stout is “now considering further measures to ensure that this campus is tobacco-free, including instituting fines or other sanctions for violators.”
Personally, I feel that this issue doesn’t affect the majority of students, but rather polarizes smokers against those that are avidly against it. I understand that second-hand smoke is an annoyance and a health issue; I also understand that this campus would like to build and maintain a health-conscious reputation. However, adding another layer of regulation would cost money, and that simply isn’t something that the UW System has a lot of right now.
In my opinion, smokers should have “designated” smoking areas on campus. This way, UW-Stout can eliminate the need to pay officers to enforce the ban and students that want to avoid breathing in second-hand smoke would know which areas to stay away from.
Of course, if UW-Stout really wants to eliminate this problem once in for all, maybe it’s time to confront Big Tobacco? Until then, let’s keep this issue in perspective. Certainly, there are bigger social problems to address.
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I have been going to UW-Stout ever since the smoking ban has been up and I see no decrease in the smoking population on campus. If you want people to follow the rules, the rules have to be fair to everyone. There are zero designated smoking areas. You are basically “outing” people who enjoy smoking. People who smoke know the dangers to our health. As a current smoker and a UW-Stout student I can guarantee that if you put up designated smoking areas that are in reasonable walking distance from the dorms and classrooms the student smokers would gladly abide by your rules. Until that day I and other smokers will continue to break this “rule” which is taking away a legal act, which makes my day less stressful.
Kurt Swanson
Coming into the new year as a smoker and freshman, I have had a lot of difficulties dealing with the smoking ban. As a Veteran, I believed that I was fighting for equal rights for Americans, not equal rights for the majority. By alienating smokers, you’re saying, “You don’t have the same rights as non-smokers, in fact, we’re trying to shun you from society to show you the evil of your ways”. Honestly, who has the right to decide what other people should be allowed to do? No offense towards any Chancellor, past and present, but you should NOT have the right to decide what goes into my body and where. If you want to see another example of this, look at the fact that no bars, or bar/restaurants are authorized to advertise on Campus. Stifling other people is NOT an effective way to prevent people from doing what YOU feel is inappropriate!