UW-Stout is going Smoke-Free?

It does have a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? It would if you were an individual that did not smoke. What about those who do smoke? Would they be outraged if UW-Stout became a smoke free-campus. Some may say that it would be against the law for you to instill this ban, but what if it was voluntary? Do you think that it would really make a difference in allowing those who choose to smoke the opportunity to not smoke on campus. How many people would this affect on campus? There are many questions to ask yourself when bringing up a debatable topic such as a smoke-free ban.

            There are many arguments that could be made, but as more states and businesses are becoming smoke-free, is it time for UW-Stout to look into whether or not our campus should also go smoke-free? Those who smoke may argue it is their right; others who do not smoke would argue they have the right to clean air. On campus the non-smoking progression has moved smokers from inside buildings to the outdoors to a 25-foot policy. The question is, does it really need to go even further as to make all of campus smoke free?

The movement towards making an attempt to or implementing smoking bans has expanded from state policies, to more and more campuses following suit. According to the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, at least 260 colleges and universities have smoke-free campuses. This does not incorporate campuses that designate certain areas smoke-free.

            Alverno College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Medical College of Wisconsin, Nicolet Area Technical College, UW-Baraboo/Sauk County, UW-Platteville and Western Technical College. These are just seven of the Wisconsin colleges and universities that had decided to go 100 percent smoke-free in 2009.

            By having a smoke-free campus it will lead to less litter caused by cigarette butts, not having to deal with walking through a cloud of smoke upon entering an academic building, and it may encourage those who do smoke to cut back. This is not a quick fix to a problem, it is going to take smokers support in making this movement go forward.

            The Stout Student Association is looking for student as well as faculty input on this debatable topic. SSA wants to hold a referendum to gather student’s input on this topic. Let’s hear your feedback, write your thoughts on the below please.