Student group calls for campus smoking ban
"We had educational programs for children last year and are trying to work with the Village Learning Project this semester . . . along with the Great American Smokeout in November."
According to Durica, Hopkins administrators have been receptive to their proposals.
"We have met several times with Dean Boswell and she has been very receptive to our efforts," she said.
According to Durica, the administration is working with the group to "implement the first step" of the plan.
The first step calls for the placing of "signs that discourage smoking within thirty feet of campus building . . . [and taking] cigarette receptacles away from building entrances and windows so far as to discourage smoking within thirty feet of buildings and windows on campus," she wrote.
"We met with Dean Boswell last semester along with Planning and Operations, and they agreed to move the ashtrays away from the doors and windows. That was done last semester," Durica said.
"However, since the ashtrays aren't bolted down, people will just pick them up and move them back to those places so they can smoke when it's raining near the doors."
HKB also helped to get the event "Hookah and Hemp on the Beach" banned.
Durica claimed that HKB's efforts to get smoking banned from Homewood is part of a national trend.
"In the United States there are at least 365 campuses that are now 100 percent smoke-free with minor exception for remote outdoor areas," she said.
"Moreover, the American College Health Association just adopted new guidelines urging colleges to go to an 100 percent tobacco-free indoor and outdoor environment."
Durica is not worried that HKB is infringing on the rights of smokers.
"The dangers of second-hand smoke have been known for a long time and more and more research is coming out everyday about the harms of it . . . A person's right to health will always trump an individual's right to smoke," she wrote.
According to Durica, Hopkins administrators have been receptive to their proposals.
"We have met several times with Dean Boswell and she has been very receptive to our efforts," she said.
According to Durica, the administration is working with the group to "implement the first step" of the plan.
The first step calls for the placing of "signs that discourage smoking within thirty feet of campus building . . . [and taking] cigarette receptacles away from building entrances and windows so far as to discourage smoking within thirty feet of buildings and windows on campus," she wrote.
"We met with Dean Boswell last semester along with Planning and Operations, and they agreed to move the ashtrays away from the doors and windows. That was done last semester," Durica said.
"However, since the ashtrays aren't bolted down, people will just pick them up and move them back to those places so they can smoke when it's raining near the doors."
HKB also helped to get the event "Hookah and Hemp on the Beach" banned.
Durica claimed that HKB's efforts to get smoking banned from Homewood is part of a national trend.
"In the United States there are at least 365 campuses that are now 100 percent smoke-free with minor exception for remote outdoor areas," she said.
"Moreover, the American College Health Association just adopted new guidelines urging colleges to go to an 100 percent tobacco-free indoor and outdoor environment."
Durica is not worried that HKB is infringing on the rights of smokers.
"The dangers of second-hand smoke have been known for a long time and more and more research is coming out everyday about the harms of it . . . A person's right to health will always trump an individual's right to smoke," she wrote.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
The Individual
posted 10/31/09 @ 11:15 AM EST
Fact is, second hand smoke is not harmful. All studies result in no statistical significance. Now, whatever study wants to use those statistics to make unsubstantiated conclusions is fine. (Continued…)
A Good Idea
posted 11/01/09 @ 10:03 AM EST
There's a libertarian saying that goes, "Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins." In this case, your right to smoke ends where my nose begins. (Continued…)
L. Vargas
posted 11/02/09 @ 3:00 AM EST
Wish you'd have featured more objecting viewpoints, as I know there are some (ask me for my opinion if you're struggling to find people who oppose the ban!). (Continued…)
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