Limited resources and enforcement difficulties make a total ban on smoking at UCLA unfeasible
By Monica Davila
Feb. 8, 2011 12:46 a.m.
While other universities and public college systems in the U.S. are implementing strict smoking bans, UCLA relies on students and staff to monitor smoking on campus.
Last month, the trustees of the City University of New York voted to ban smoking on its 23 campuses, joining more than 460 other colleges in enacting a total ban of smoking on campus, according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation.
But this measure is not an option for UCLA.
“It’s just not practical,” said Gail Cowling, executive director of general services at UCLA. “On the one side, you have health concerns, and on the other side, you have personal freedom.”
In addition, the university does not plan to ban smoking on campus because of a lack of resources, difficulties with enforcement and complications involving workers’ rights and unions.
Some students agreed with Cowling about the difficulty of implementation.
Jessica Kriksciun, a first-year psychobiology student, said she thinks smoking is a “disgusting habit” but opposes a total ban because she believes it would violate personal rights.
Currently, California law limits smoking to at least 20 feet away from buildings. In 2009, UCLA instituted regulations that require people to stay at least 25 feet away from functioning windows or main entrances and exits of university structures.
This does not mean that the regulations are followed all of the time.
“It’s essentially up to the (building staff) themselves to enforce the no smoking policy,” Cowling said, noting that there are several designated smoking areas around campus, such as outdoor eating areas and the area outside of Covel near residential housing.
Tom Rosholt, the building manager for Young Research Library, said he enforces the policy in the on-campus building and tries to discourage smoking near the library.
People have complained about walking through smoke when they entered the library, but Rosholt said he fixed the problem by moving ashtrays to the side of the portico. However, there are a few complications, such as during rainy days when people try to stand under the awning in front of the library.
Rosholt said he uses reason when enforcing the policy.
George Papandreou, a post-doctoral research scholar in statistics, said when he smokes on campus, he tries to do so in areas with fewer people.
“If it’s an open space, I don’t really mind. … I’m being careful,” Papandreou said. “I think the ban is adequate.”
