Yesterday, University Senate approved legislation (which now goes to the president) that, amongst other tweaks, prohibits smoking within 30 feet of buildings entrances, air intakes or windows. In order to help remind the public, ashtrays will be moved to designate the minimum distance from said locations.
Right now, the enforcement of these policies seem in large part to be a "vigilante" effort that leaves the responsibility up to respective building or department heads and managers. In order for these policies to work, they'll have to be effectively, actively and efficiently enforced, and that could be the biggest challenge of all.
Regardless, the question arises: will this keep smokers from smoking?
Certainly not, and these rules are not created to do so. They are mainly convenience amendments that make the life (and respiratory systems) of non-smokers that much better.
In the meanwhile, though, is it fair to put these humans (to avoid the term "smokers" for a second) out in the proverbial and literal cold all for taking part in a legal activity?
At the very least, there should be some compromise.
When airports, restaurants and other public venues began going "smoke-free" in the early 90s, private smoking areas soon followed. Now, it seems as if you cannot walk through an airport, sporting venue or shopping mall without finding some sort of (often degrading) "smoker's region."
Students living in LaFollette know this quite well. For years, the courtyard spaces between the four residence halls have been lovingly referred to as "the smoker's crotch." Non-smokers know the area as a small burden during periods of inclement weather, as during the late evening hours those who smoke tend to congregate outside the entrance doors. While the site of people smoking outside a building does not phase most students, during crowded times, these doorways become difficult to access and smoke-laden.
Hence these new rules for the benefit of the non-smokers.
Meanwhile, as with the aforementioned public venues, smokers will now be forced out into small gatherings in 10 yards from buildings.
Sure, smoking may be many people's vice, but there should be steps taken to make sure they are not treated like animals.
Moving the ashtrays away may be a helpful reminder, but that also exposes smokers to the elements and removes many possibilities to sit or lean. At the very least, perhaps convenience items such as benches and shelters could be put into place as a courtesy to those who, as of right now, are left on their own.
After all, smokers are people, too.
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