FIU bans smoking on campus and in cars
January 7th 2011 21:21
Nicotine-craving students and professors at Florida International University may be feeling a bit on edge this week. FIU has imposed a campus-wide ban on smoking -- even outdoors and in cars.
FIU is the first South Florida university to have a tobacco ban, and only the second in the state. The University of Florida went smoke-free in July.
The use of tobacco is barred on the main Modesto A. Maidique Campus in West Miami-Dade, the Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami, recreational areas and dorms.
Smoking also is banned in campus parking lots, garages and inside the cars parked in them.
Everyone who drives into or steps foot on campus -- faculty, staff, students, visitors -- must comply. No ifs, ands or butts.
Opinion tends to follow whether one smokes or not.
``Honestly, I don't think this will stop people from smoking. It won't stop me and it definitely won't stop the hard-working, stressed-out students and faculty who smoke on a daily basis,'' said Ryan Morejon, a senior majoring in journalism.
``Before, you couldn't smoke inside. Now you can't even smoke outside? You have to drive three or four blocks to smoke a cigarette? That, to me, is stupid.''
In a letter sent to students via e-mail, Rosa L. Jones, vice president of student affairs, said ``Breathe Easy-Tobacco & Smoke Free Campus'' signs have been posted throughout the campuses and the next six months will be dedicated to helping university smokers kick the habit.
``While we are making every effort to create a healthier campus environment, we realize that some may need assistance with managing dependence on cigarettes and other tobacco products,'' she said. ``We have several resources available to assist you or someone you may know.''
Some of the on-campus resources available include tobacco dependence groups, reduced-cost nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches or nicotine gum, and discounted acupuncture sessions, all provided by University Health Services.
``Even though the administration is putting a stop to smoking, they are giving people the tools to live a healthier life,'' said Sabrina Goldsmith, a sophomore political science major and a nonsmoker. ``I think it's a great move.''
During the first six months of the initiative, anyone violating the policy will be reminded of the regulation and asked to toss their cigarette or tobacco product. Violations after six months will be subject to a formal conduct review to determine a punishment.
That doesn't clear the air for Lis Mesa.
``People smoke. Get over it,'' said Mesa, who graduated from FIU in December. ``Since FIU is a university, we can assume the students attending are educated and thus knowledgeable about the effects of tobacco.''
While many schools have long banned smoking indoors, bans on outdoor smoking are relatively new.
According to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, FIU joins more than 400 U.S. colleges and universities that have banned all tobacco use.
In Florida, six schools have completely or partially banned smoking. The University of Miami prohibits smoking around health-related buildings. UM spokeswoman Margot Winick said the university is ``exploring'' whether to also prohibit smoking outdoors on the Coral Gables campus.
Three private colleges in Florida have banned tobacco use: Edison State College campuses in the southwest portion of the state, Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences in Orlando and Warner University in Lake Wales.
``The ban on tobacco is a step in the right direction in promoting a healthier lifestyle,'' said Lazaro Pavon, an FIU junior criminal justice major and nonsmoker. ``With the national ad campaigns surrounding smoking these days, I'm glad to see the university has taken a proactive approach to this habit.''
According to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, 53,800 people die every year from second-hand smoke exposure, with college students being heavily targeted by the tobacco industry as potential, young customers.
Helena Ramirez, student body president at the Modesto A. Maidique campus, said the FIU program will gradually wean students and faculty from tobacco.
``The first year will be more of an educational push and one over a time span,'' Ramirez said. ``As opposed to something that is completely drastic, I think it will be integrated with a plan that provides opportunities for smokers and tobacco users to find alternatives to quit the habit.''
Other students said the university won't hold back when it comes to violators.
Said senior Jacob Abdulla, a smoker: `My guess is they will not be pulling any punches.''
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