Student group calls for campus smoking ban
Homewood is moving closer to becoming a smoke-free campus, thanks to the efforts of one student group.
Hopkins Kicks Butt (HKB) is currently attempting to convince administrators to institute a campus-wide smoking ban.
Their proposal calls for a $15 fine for people caught smoking on campus.
HKB hopes to make the University completely smoke free by 2012.
The group, which is part of the Center for Health Education and Wellness (CHEW), has been gathering signatures for roughly two years, although according to group President Sarah Durica, they have "only spent about 20 hours actually tabling and getting people to sign up."
"Our primary motivation for establishing a smoke-free campus is to reduce the community's exposure to harmful secondhand smoke," HKB said in the proposal it submitted to the administration about a year ago.
"Establishing a smoke-free campus will set a positive standard for other similar institutions and will reaffirm the Johns Hopkins University's reputation as a center of innovation and commitment to the common good," the proposal said.
HKB is seeking the support of other groups on campus. CHEW, Stressbusters, the Women's Pre-Health Leadership Society and Preventive Education and Empowerment for Peers (PEEPS) have already signed on to the petition.
HKB has roughly 20 members, but according to Durica, "we have had new membersHKB, from A1
come to each meeting and are still getting e-mails from people interested in joining the group."
HKB feels that tobacco is a serious problem at Hopkins.
"The smoking problems here at Hopkins is pretty potent . . . We have letters [of complaint] from students in different housing complexes, particularly in the AMRs . . . it's a major problem definitely," Preston Kramer, HKB's Policy Chair, said.
Hopkins Kicks Butt is involved in several other campaigns beside its effort to get a campus-wide smoking ban instituted.
"We've been doing several . . . campaigns to educate students, faculty and staff about the harmful effects of smoking, and creating 'quit kits' that have info and supplies to help people quit," Durica said.
Hopkins Kicks Butt (HKB) is currently attempting to convince administrators to institute a campus-wide smoking ban.
Their proposal calls for a $15 fine for people caught smoking on campus.
HKB hopes to make the University completely smoke free by 2012.
The group, which is part of the Center for Health Education and Wellness (CHEW), has been gathering signatures for roughly two years, although according to group President Sarah Durica, they have "only spent about 20 hours actually tabling and getting people to sign up."
"Our primary motivation for establishing a smoke-free campus is to reduce the community's exposure to harmful secondhand smoke," HKB said in the proposal it submitted to the administration about a year ago.
"Establishing a smoke-free campus will set a positive standard for other similar institutions and will reaffirm the Johns Hopkins University's reputation as a center of innovation and commitment to the common good," the proposal said.
HKB is seeking the support of other groups on campus. CHEW, Stressbusters, the Women's Pre-Health Leadership Society and Preventive Education and Empowerment for Peers (PEEPS) have already signed on to the petition.
HKB has roughly 20 members, but according to Durica, "we have had new membersHKB, from A1
come to each meeting and are still getting e-mails from people interested in joining the group."
HKB feels that tobacco is a serious problem at Hopkins.
"The smoking problems here at Hopkins is pretty potent . . . We have letters [of complaint] from students in different housing complexes, particularly in the AMRs . . . it's a major problem definitely," Preston Kramer, HKB's Policy Chair, said.
Hopkins Kicks Butt is involved in several other campaigns beside its effort to get a campus-wide smoking ban instituted.
"We've been doing several . . . campaigns to educate students, faculty and staff about the harmful effects of smoking, and creating 'quit kits' that have info and supplies to help people quit," Durica said.
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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