A year of being smoke free

It’s been over a year since the Sheridan smoking ban initiative took effect. But how seriously is campus security enforcing these measures?

A security officer who asked to not to be named, said that security tracks and records all instances of smokers on school property, whether it’s writing down your One Card or through monitoring recordings from the security cameras. Every recorded instance is reviewed. If you are caught smoking and do not have your One card or any form of ID, then campus security will escort you off the property.

No smoking sign in student resident-parking

Since the start of the semester, campus security has recorded over 100 instances of smokers being caught and informed not to smoke on campus. As a result of the ban and the measures to enforce it, security reports that on campus smoking has dropped by roughly 60%. The next step is to hit smokers in their wallets. Sheridan College is in the process of creating a system to fine to anyone caught smoking on campus.

Sheridan implemented the ban to take “a tangible step that will enhance the wellness of our students, employees, and visitors to campus.” So why not just keep the designated smoking shelters and allow people to smoke there?

Referring to a study from Stanford University, a Sheridan statement on the smoking ban says, “…designated smoking areas with multiple people smoking have toxic air quality levels equivalent to smoking indoors.  Even brief exposure to outdoors smoke can exacerbate symptoms among those who suffer from heart disease, asthma, allergies and bronchitis.”

Stairwell outside of SCAET building

However, some students are indifferent about the ban. Mark Gallup says, “I’m not on any side about the ban as it doesn’t affect me ‘cause I don’t smoke. I don’t have anything against people who do, but I understand why some people don’t like smoking on campus.”

A student smoker who asked to remain anonymous said, “I don’t care about the ban because it isn’t going to stop me from smoking where I want to, the worst they’ve done is ask me to go across the street.”

Jaime Rebanal added, “I don’t feel like it’s my business. As much as I hate the smell, I can understand where others find a sense of relaxation from it and I’ll just let those people be.”