Posted on 01/17/2011 12:09:29 PM PST by markomalley
Towson University first pushed its smokers out of campus buildings and into the great outdoors. Then, 30 feet away from buildings. Finally, last semester, it was off campus altogether.
Between classes, smokers rush to the state- or county-owned roads edging the Baltimore County campus. Not stepping off school property before lighting up can mean a $75 fine.
"On campus, it's a breath of fresh air - finally," said Steven Crudele, a former member of the student government who was part of the campus smoke-free task force. "When you are walking in and out of buildings, you don't have to walk through a cloud of smoke."
Towson is one of the first universities in the region to implement a strict, campuswide smoking ban. Similar initiatives are slowly picking up popularity at colleges across the country. Many university hospitals have such policies in place, as do several Maryland community colleges.
Such bans quickly clear the air at college campuses, allowing nonsmokers to study and learn, indoors and out, without the distraction or danger of secondhand smoke. The bans also try to speak directly to smokers, carrying the message that inhaling toxins is not healthy for anyone. That message is reinforced every time a smoker heads for the campus boundary.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The smokers should wear ski masks and smoke away.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions(of thugs).
The anti-smoking Nazis will, of course, feel vindicated.
Next up...”Skittles” and “Mentos”
I’m waiting for a smoker to declare his smoking addiction a handicap, and sue for access under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Back in the day as an undergrad, I actually had a couple of classes where we could smoke in class and in the upper mezzanine of the basketball arena during games. LOL - I must be old! At any rate, later in my career while working at a school, I served on the board that made determinations such as these. The problem with smoking (and why we banned it from campus) had nothing to do with the smoke - the problem was the mess left behind by smokers and the cost associated with cleaning up after them.
So instead of allowing the smoke to be spread around the school just concentrates it all together at the entry points 1 foot away from school property.
One of these days, an anti-smoking zealot is going to be so propagandized about the dangers of second-hand smoke they will kill a smoker, and claim self-defense. IMHO, it's just a matter of time.
This isn’t so much about smoking, it is more about colleges finding new ways of extorting more money out of students/parents.
GREAT IDEA
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Nanny State PING!
So you banned chewing gum also, right? Since it was a litter matter.
I was actually yelled at once when I was smoking in my own car (no passengers).
It’s gone so far it is becoming humorous.
Let's be honest. Who hasn't seen cigarette butts scattered around outside of buildings? Inconsiderate and sloppy smokers deserve to be fined if caught.
As for second-hand smoke causing death, I have yet to hear the proof. Has "second-hand smoke" ever been cited on a death certificate as the cause of death?
Thanks for the ping!
No, but then again if the custodial staff had brought up the fact that they could save thousands of dollars by banning chewing gum, we probably would have.
Any excuse is will do. But thanks for answering.
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