UCLA must adopt new policy to protect non-smokers from toxins

The move to strengthen the current campus smoking policy would
be beneficial for the vast majority of students, faculty and
staff.

Smokers would have to move 20 feet away from the area
immediately in front of building entrances to smoke instead of 5
feet as the policy stands now.

Secondhand smoke has proven to be more dangerous than previously
believed, needlessly killing 53,800 Americans a year. While bad for
all 84 percent of students, faculty and staff who don’t
smoke, it is particularly damaging to those who suffer from asthma
and other respiratory problems. Most smokers do not want their
habit to damage the health of others.

Most students and faculty are not apathetic to this issue.
Quantitative surveys conducted on campus show widespread support
for smoke-free policies. Just this week, the UCLA Academic Senate
endorsed our efforts on creating a healthier campus by
strengthening the smoking policy. Many faculty members have shown
their support for the policy including Professor Charles E. Lewis,
M.D., Sc.D., Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention;
Professor Robert Schilling, School of Public Policy and Social
Research; and Director/Professor Richard Turco, Institute of the
Environment.

Campuses Organized and United for Good Health is not asking for
something outrageous. At least 10 major colleges in California have
already adopted policies of 20-feet or greater. None have reported
serious enforcement problems, with relatively inexpensive signs
communicating this easy-to-grasp message. The California State
University is in the processes of drafting new smoking policies
with a minimum of 20 feet on all campuses, and most community
colleges have adopted highly regarded policies that exceed 20 feet.
Neighboring Santa Monica College implemented a smoke-free policy of
25 feet from building entrances, windows and ventilation systems
two years ago.

How much of an inconvenience is it to walk an additional 15 feet
to smoke? I have spoken to many people who smoke and the
overwhelming majority of them agree that walking 15 extra feet is
no big deal. However, smoking 20 feet away from entrances will
allow those who should not have to breathe in secondhand smoke to
have a clear pathway to their destinations.

In regards to potential compliance and enforcement issues, signs
stating that the proposed 20-foot policy is an effective way in
acquainting students, faculty and staff with a safer distance to
smoke. Campuses that have installed appropriate signs, accompanied
with clear communications of their new policy, have had few issues
with compliance. Why is a progressive campus like UCLA lagging
behind other campuses in having a smoking policy that protects the
health of all of its students, faculty and staff? Certainly, the
minor inconvenience of a few and the relatively modest expense of
implementing a new policy do not justify this lethargy. It is time
to move forward with a new policy that continues to respect the
rights of people who smoke while respecting the rights of all who
enjoy our beautiful campus to breathe non-toxic air.