Though the future of tobacco is still hazy on Ohio University’s campus, some Miami RedHawks think their ban flew the coop with their campus’ lack of enforcement of the policy.
The Ohio Board of Regents recently proposed that the state's public colleges and universities implement an on-campus smoking ban, but right now, Miami University is the only school with a ban. A task force at OU met Dec. 10 to discuss the next step in proposing a similar policy to the Board of Trustees in the spring.
Ryan Lombardi, task force chair and interim vice president for Student Affairs, said the task force is developing surveys to collect data on the tobacco-using population at OU.
“From these surveys, we’re looking at who uses tobacco,” Lombardi said. “We’re also looking at some experiences with tobacco mostly.”
The task force plans on sending out surveys to students in January once Spring Semester starts, Lombardi said.
“They will be online surveys. … We’ll want to keep the survey open for several weeks to get as many responses as possible,” he added.
The future for OU’s atmosphere involving tobacco is not set in stone, and students have expressed a variety of opinions.
“I know a few kids on my floor that chew (tobacco),” said Taylor Goodman, a freshman studying exercise physiology. “I’ve had to deal with seeing ‘spit’ in empty water bottles; it is disgusting.”
Others approve of a ban and believe having smoke in public areas has a negative impact on their health.
“I think it’s a huge problem on this campus,” said Gabriella Marrison, a sophomore studying communication studies. “You seriously can’t walk anywhere without getting a puff or two in the face. I personally don’t mind if you smoke, but I definitely think there should be some form of designated smoking spots on campus.”
About 700 college campuses across the nation have declared themselves tobacco-free, according to a July 23 article by The Plain Dealer.
However, Miami University remains the only public university in Ohio to have a tobacco ban policy, which was enacted in Fall 2008, according to Miami’s website.
A few Miami students said that though the policy is in effect on their campus, tobacco somehow finds its way back.
“From what I’ve observed, the tobacco ban isn’t strictly enforced, and students aren’t following it,” said Graham Beckley, a junior studying education. “I see kids smoking in front of King’s Library all the time, right in front of the 'no smoking' sign. Some aren’t blatantly defiant, but some will still find a secluded place to smoke.”
Others said that though the ban is active, the enforcement of the policy is yet to be effective.
“Smoking cigarettes isn’t a very big part of Miami’s culture,” said Mallory Chen, a sophomore studying marketing. “We have signs, but I see people smoking all the time…those that do smoke still smoke on campus.”
Members of the task force plan to observe other campuses that have imposed a ban to gain more information and see if a similar policy would be successful at OU, said Mary Kate Gallagher, a student representative for the task force.
“The data the group collects will be a key piece that we introduce to the Board of Trustees, and I hope that the members of Ohio University community take the survey when it is published,” Gallagher said.
The next meeting for the task force is Jan. 14.
hy135010@ohiou.edu
