2008 Woodie Awards
Meyers proposes edict to make campus smoke-free
Other suggestions include a program to help students stop smoking, designated smoking areas
By: Leah Merriman
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: News
"With the stress-levels on campus, it's just not realistic," she said.
But the idea of designated smoking areas around campus, whether enclosed outdoor areas away from the doors or indoor smoking lounges, were just not realistic from Meyers' point of view. He said indoor smoking would require a separate ventilation system and ultimately outdoor smoking gazebos would be too costly as well.
"It would be very expensive and given the need for classrooms, I'd
rather spend money on classrooms," Meyers said.
He would, however, be willing to commit university funds to help support a program to help students quit smoking.
"I realize that smoking is a drug, a narcotic, and some people just can't stop instantly. I think the university should help them through the right drugs, counseling and other means to educate them and to reduce their dependence on smoking," Meyers said. "I think the university should help these people physically withdraw from these drugs so they can have a better life."
However, a program to quit smoking can only be effective if people want to quit, he said.
Nick Dunne, a freshman education major, said his ideas at the meeting were not to eliminate smoking altogether on campus, but only to establish designated smoking areas.
"I am not a smoker, nor am I allergic to smoke," Dunne said. "But I want something to be done so people who don't like it or are allergic to it can deal with it."
He said supports the rights of everyone, and for the rights of everyone to be met, a balance needs to be met.
Meyers said he does not view smoking as someone's individual right, but a health concern for the entire population.
"I think that there are certain rights that are individual rights and there are that are group rights," he said. "You have to have certain laws that are for the benefit of the whole. Smoking to me is one of those because of the health hazards. If there's something that's harmful for the general population, then the laws have to protect the general population."
But the idea of designated smoking areas around campus, whether enclosed outdoor areas away from the doors or indoor smoking lounges, were just not realistic from Meyers' point of view. He said indoor smoking would require a separate ventilation system and ultimately outdoor smoking gazebos would be too costly as well.
"It would be very expensive and given the need for classrooms, I'd
rather spend money on classrooms," Meyers said.
He would, however, be willing to commit university funds to help support a program to help students quit smoking.
"I realize that smoking is a drug, a narcotic, and some people just can't stop instantly. I think the university should help them through the right drugs, counseling and other means to educate them and to reduce their dependence on smoking," Meyers said. "I think the university should help these people physically withdraw from these drugs so they can have a better life."
However, a program to quit smoking can only be effective if people want to quit, he said.
Nick Dunne, a freshman education major, said his ideas at the meeting were not to eliminate smoking altogether on campus, but only to establish designated smoking areas.
"I am not a smoker, nor am I allergic to smoke," Dunne said. "But I want something to be done so people who don't like it or are allergic to it can deal with it."
He said supports the rights of everyone, and for the rights of everyone to be met, a balance needs to be met.
Meyers said he does not view smoking as someone's individual right, but a health concern for the entire population.
"I think that there are certain rights that are individual rights and there are that are group rights," he said. "You have to have certain laws that are for the benefit of the whole. Smoking to me is one of those because of the health hazards. If there's something that's harmful for the general population, then the laws have to protect the general population."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
John Jacob Jinglehiemer
posted 10/09/07 @ 5:45 PM CST
This is a joke, plain and simple. It would better help the overall health of students to close down the roads near Webster buildings so that pollution from cars cannot drift into the buildings or near them. (Continued…)
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