Post Classifieds
Phase three of the smoking ban held up
By Katie Anderson
On September 12, 2012
Although scheduled to begin this September, phase three of the Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free
Policy Implementation Plan is not yet underway.
Due to prolonged negotiations between the human resource management office and some of the
unions on campus, such as the United University Professions and the Civil Service Employees
Association, the hard enforcement phase of the implementation plan has been delayed.
"In order to be effective among our faculty and staff, it has to be negotiated," said Vice President
of Student Affairs Hal Payne. "What we're trying to resolve right now is... what we can negotiate
as far as enforcement as it relates to the union members."
After the negotiations are made, the Smoke-Free Campus Committee will make a decision on
moving into the third phase of enforcement, Payne said.
Although the hard enforcement phase has not yet begun, Payne said the first two phases have
been effective.
"I've personally observed less smoking on campus," he said. "You don't see the same gathering
in doorways or right outside of buildings that we once saw, but the change has been gradual."
This gradual change, Payne said, is due to the second phase of the policy's implementation: soft
enforcement. This current stage of enforcement is voluntary, with students policing their own
smoking and reminding others to do the same.
"Enforcement of this policy is really going to be a matter of members of the community
reminding other members of the community that we have agreed to become a tobacco-free,
smoke-free community," he said. "In other words, it's a social compact."
Not all students, however, are compliant with this compact. Sophomore Allison Kreiley is a
Buffalo State resident who does not want to leave campus every time she wants a smoke.
"It wouldn't be as bad if they gave students a designated area to smoke," she said. "That would
make everyone happy."
Jennie Silverman, secretary of the history department, also shares Kreiley's opinion that
designated areas further away from buildings would be a better solution.
"Students living in the dorms need to have an option," she said.
Kreiley said that she doesn't think there should be any penalties and that hard enforcement will
drive students away.
Buffalo State, however, is not the only campus implementing a smoking ban. Effective January
2014, each of the 63 SUNY campuses will have a smoke-free policy in place.
"Each school has been free to develop their own approach to becoming tobacco-free, smoke-
free," Payne said.
According to Paula Madrigal, health education program coordinator with the health promotions
department at the Weigel Health Center, Buffalo State's approach to a smoke-free campus is not
as harsh as some students may think.
"We're not telling people to quit, taking their cigarettes, or telling them to immediately start the
cessation program," she said. "They're purposely trying to do things so that it's not a shock. If
we were to go into this, and have enforcement from the beginning, I don't think that would rub
people the right way."
A cessation program for smokers, along with support groups and educational seminars and
workshops, are just some ways the health promotions department is getting involved.
The Weigel Health Center will also be providing special service to students such as quit kits and
medication and counseling for quitters.
Madrigal said the department's focus and concern is with the students.
"The peer education cessation group will be a good way for students who want to quit to find
support," she said.
The health promotions department has also played a major role in phase one of the policy's
implementation plan, education and awareness by helping to distribute signs on campus.
Some students, however, did not find these signs to be very effective. Sophomore Rebecca
Piskor, a campus resident, said that she hasn't noticed a decrease in smoking on campus.
"People are more spread out when smoking," she said, "but it doesn't seem like there are fewer
people smoking."
Kreiley said that she hasn't noticed a change either.
"I don't think the students are taking it seriously."
Madrigal said she hopes people will keep an open mind about the policy because it is a good
thing for the campus as a whole. She said the policy focuses on respect for others.
"The main thing is respect for other people and the environment," she said. "Everyone has the
right to not be exposed to smoke."
Payne said this policy could have an enormous positive impact on new students and could
potentially save lives.
"Protecting students from either individual use of tobacco and smoking or from the effects of
tobacco use and smoking on the environment, ultimately will save lives as well as improving the
quality of life for those students," he said.
Katie Anderson can be reached by email at anderson.record@live.com.
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