If you want to see where attitudes toward smoking have really changed, go visit your closest college campus. Chances are, it’s tobacco free…
According to this report from Americans for Non-Smokers’ Rights, there are at least 1477 “100% smoke-free campuses” across the U.S. as of October 1 of this year.
Broken down further – 975 of these campuses are 100% tobacco-free, while the remaining 261 ban digital cigarettes as well.
ANR expects this number to continue climbing…
Below are a few high-profile universities, and a few small town community colleges, where smoking is not allowed:
- University of Florida
- Harvard Medical School
- UNC @ Chapel Hill
- Baylor University (Texas)
- Lansing Community College (MI)
- Faulkner University (AL)
Although the number of institutions banning smoking on campus continues to climb, it mainly consists of signage explaining the campus policy. Rarely is it enforced in the form of a fine.
Maybe some scowls from a few people, but nothing official…
While “smoke-free” is a good idea from a health perspective, does it really curb actual smoking on campus? According to Jordan Hill of Valdosta State University, the answer is no.
Hill suggests campuses should have designated areas where smoking is allowed. Banning it completely is pointless. I can tell you from personal experience at the UF campus in Gainesville, all the ban leads to is more cigarette litter.
I suggest taking a look at the VSU piece – it goes into good detail on both the pros and cons of smoking bans on campus.
