The proposed smoking ban presented by Associated Students has come to a halt. The resolution was last discussed formally during a board of trustees meeting held May 29. The resolution proposed that Mt. SAC be, “a smoke-free campus, with the exception of parking lots.”
This decision was made after the AS posted a survey through banner which resulted in 15.8 percent of students claiming to smoke, and 84.2 did not. The majority of students surveyed, 40.8 percent, also agreed that Mt. SAC be a smoke free campus.
Xavier Padilla, President of Associated Students said, “We looked at different campuses that have a ban on smoking with the exception of parking lots. We said it looks like a pretty good idea because every campus has a parking lot. Someone can just go to their car and just smoke in their car.”
When speaking of the resolution being at a stand still, “[The resolution] then forwarded to the board of trustees and then that was passed. Right now where it stands is faculty wants a say in this because it is also a faculty issue because some of them smoke. Now it’s kind of being discussed, and seeing how the students and faculty can come to an agreement and see exactly what they’d like to do in the future,” Padilla said.
Faculty is voicing their opinion. Shelly Hosbach, Student Assistant 2 said, “I think its ridiculous. Were at a college. Were not high school students. I can understand non-smokers having their rights but we as smokers have our rights too. Some of us have very tight schedules. Five minutes in between classes and that’s not enough time to go to the parking lot come back get to our classroom and do what we need to do on time.”
Matilda Atalla, 19, Broadcast and Journalism major who works in the Writing Center agrees that the designated smoking area is fair.
“I don’t want to walk around going to class and have to smell smoke,” Atalla said. “As long as they have somewhere to go then I think it’s fine.”
Student Trustee Patrick Martinez was one of the original authors of the resolution.
“This all began when a student wondered about other colleges banning smoking on campus or to a designated area,” Martinez said. “Steps were taken by the senate and the survey was put on portal.”
As for the resolution being put on hold for faculty needs, ”A teacher does not have time to go to the parking lot. It’s not fair. That’s the problem we’re having,” Martinez said. He also said that the board has it on hold because they are addressing other issues, such as fee increases and the recession, which have been more important for the college. “We have to come to a consensus and make sure we agree as a campus.”
Community Relations Senator Bruno Hernandez was involved when the first resolution was brought to the boarding April 2009, where the consequences of secondhand smoke were stated, such as them being, “Carcinogenic”. In that year, AS conducted another poll where 76 percent of students agreed to have a, “Restricted location on campus for smokers.”
Hernandez recalls what led the senate to the resolution.
“That 2009 Senate didn’t think it would be fair,” Hernandez said about an absolute ban. “I was once a smoker. I understand the cravings to smoke a cigarette. I think we should have a different agreement with [faculty] since they are on campus different hours we are. We should have a particular area for just them to smoke.”
When it came to discussing a realistic enforcement on violators if the proposed ban takes effect, “It’s difficult,” Hernandez added. “If someone were to tell me, ‘What’s your name? Were going to cite you for smoking,’ That’s not the way its gonna work. We would make sure the students were informed.”
Other campuses have their way of informing students. According to a Sept. 24 article on KEZI 9 News’ website, Lane Community College Eugene, Oregon, the school’s staff got the message out on their smoking ban by making a rap music video.
“I’d like to see a possible way to enforce the smoking ban if there is one. Id like to see people held accountable for violating the school rules if it gets to that point,” Hernandez said.
The campuses referred to in the resolution with smoking bans limited to the parking lots are Cabrillo College, San Joaquin Delta College, and Woodland College, among others. Two colleges with “designated smoking areas” are Fullerton College and Shasta College.
Brigette Lugo
Multiculture Editor
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