RIT Smoking Ban
RIT students may be aware of the new proposed ban on smoking on campus. There are two reasons why this might be a good idea. First, that secondhand smoke is a significant health hazard, and smokers do not have the right to harm others. The second argument is that tobacco smoke is unpleasant for non smoker, and they should not be subjected to it.
In opposition to the ban there are some valid counter arguments. That second hand smoke is not concentrated enough to cause health harm. Also, that it isn’t RIT’s place to be telling students what to do with their bodies, even if it is harmful.
Since the first claim on both sides is about the health effects of second hand smoke, we can examine it in terms of scientific evidence. Despite what some tobacco companies may say, smoking is bad for your health. Some dose of cigarette smoke is toxic, but is the dose from the smoker passing you on the Quarter Mile enough harm your health?
Maybe. Passive smoking has been shown to have negative health effects, but we aren’t really sure how much is needed to cause what health effects. Some things, like respiratory illnesses, appear to increase linearly with dose, but others, like heart attacks, do not.
Let me be clear: the jury isn’t “out” on second hand smoke. We know that it’s harmful. The question is how much. We’re constantly exposed to environmental dangers, second hand smoke, when not breathed regularly may not be any more harmful than the base background toxicity in the environment. It’s difficult to say because experimenting on living humans would be unethical, and epidemiological data is spotty.
While it’s good to be skeptical, we should bare in mind that when human health is at stake, it’s often best to err on the side of caution.
If that caution supercedes the rights of the smokers, then the ban may be reasonable. I’d like, however, to suggest a compromise. It is already against RIT policy to smoke in many places on campus. This doesn’t include some public, highly trafficked areas like the quarter mile, or the academic quads. RIT could extend the area where they do not allow smoking to encompass a wider area of campus. They would not have to ban smoking altogether.
A reasonable rule would be this: Smoking has to be done at least 6 meters from any building. Additionally, smokers must allow a space of 4 meters between themselves and other students who haven’t consented to breathing smoke. This should be a long enough distance to minimize dose, and to prevent any objectionable odor.
While this solution does have the unfortunate effect of inconveniencing smokers, smoking is a behavior which, to some extent (debates on addiction aside) they choose to partake in.
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Comments
ehhh...
Submitted on April 1st, 2008 by Aaron McGrathReally? Is smoking at RIT really that big of a deal?
I’m not a smoker but I don’t really understand the fuss. It seems to me that smoking at RIT is like smoking in any other place in New York State - smokers smoke outside and away from people who would be bothered by it.
I haven’t walked the quarter mile since my freshmen year (I’m now a junior) but I can’t say smoking was very prolific there or that I was ever bothered by it. Who are these people that are actually so bothered my cigarette smoke to go to these lengths to propose a ban? I don’t think its the students. I feel like this was a non-issue until the RIT Administration proposed removing cigarettes from the SAU store.
As far as a reasonable rule goes I think there already are plenty of reasonable rules in place. Who has a major issue with these people smoking outside? I think it would be far more unreasonable to tell them they can’t smoke ANYWHERE on campus (and further more, impossible to enforce. Is a segue riding campus safety officer going to patrol the buildings and write fines for cigarette smokers? A good use of campus resources if I’ve ever heard one.)
I think all this talk is pretty ridiculous and whether you believe second hand smoke is harmful or not, I really don’t think people are subjected to it in any kind of potent or obnoxious way at RIT.
Actually, I agree with you
Submitted on April 2nd, 2008 by Jonathan BermanActually, I agree with you for the most part. There are however, people on both sides with strong feelings. I was trying to find a compromise that would potentially appease both.
My take
Submitted on April 1st, 2008 by Nathaniel KaneA reasonable rule would be this: Smoking has to be done at least 6 meters from any building. Additionally, smokers must allow a space of 4 meters between themselves and other students who haven’t consented to breathing smoke. This should be a long enough distance to minimize dose, and to prevent any objectionable odor.
Simply given the layout of buildings on the academic side, this would most likely force smokers to the parking lots. It would be difficult to maintain an area within the center of campus that would allow a 4 meter radius for passing around. The only area I can think of would be the center of the infinity quad.
I believe that simply enforcing the current policy from the residential side to the academic side would be sufficient. From the RIT website, (http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/studentconduct/rr_smoking.php) “Smoking can occur 25 feet from any residential facility. This is to avoid the issue of second hand smoke.”. This should exacerbate the problem of a constant smoking smell in front of some entrances to buildings, especially the northeast and southeast entrances to Building 9 in the alcove areas.
The 25 foot rule would allow for some areas on campus with smoking, but suitable walking paths between buildings where there is no smoking. The likely areas that would fit the 25-foot criterium would be the center of the quads. This gives non-smokers the option of walking around the smokers at a cost of a few steps or the option of walking through. I believe that this would be a fair compromise for both parties as it causes a small inconvenience to both sides rather than a large inconvenience to one.
Hey Nate, Actually I am
Submitted on April 2nd, 2008 by Jonathan BermanHey Nate, Actually I am generally content with the current policy. I was trying to think of a compromise which would appease the rabid anti-smokers, but still allow smokers the freedom to light up. Given the option of keeping it the way it is, I’m happy.
Perhaps
Submitted on April 1st, 2008 by Meg McKillipI think it’s definitely an interesting proposition. I don’t go to RIT, but we also have rules on smoking here. RIT students cannot smoke within 25 feet of any residential building, while it is 20 feet here at Brockport. But what about walking to classes? I certainly do not like breathing in secondhand smoke, and to me there seems to be a lot of smokers here.
Though I do like the rule you propose: “Smoking has to be done at least 6 meters from any building. Additionally, smokers must allow a space of 4 meters between themselves and other students who haven’t consented to breathing smoke,” I feel like it may be hard to enforce leaving the space of four meters between a smoker and one that doesn’t wish to breathing in the smoke. While some people blatently disregard other’s feelings about smoke and smoking, some smokers are actually polite enough and considerate to those around them. It just depends if you run into a considerate or an inconsiderate smoker.
I can’t comment much on the issue, mostly because I don’t know much about RIT and the set up of the campus and how it would have an effect.