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Proposal designates campus smoking areas

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By Shirley Armbruster

A campus committee is drafting a new smoking policy with implementation procedures that will create a practically smoke-free environment at Fresno State ­ except in designated areas ­ starting April 1, 2003. This month the committee is seeking input from faculty, staff and students as to where designated smoking areas will be located.

Other recommendations are expected to include:

• Discouraging use of smokeless tobacco in any form and prohibition of use of smokeless tobacco in classrooms and other enclosed facilities.
• Ending sales and distribution in any manner of tobacco products on campus either in vending machines, the Student Union, the Kennel Bookstore or any other campus area, and prohibiting the distribution of free samples by vendors or event sponsors. Advertising and sponsorship of campus events by tobacco companies would be discouraged.

Applying the policy to all university facilities, owned or leased, including athletic facilities, the amphitheatre and all state and auxiliary vehicles.

Dr. Jeannine Raymond, head of Human Resources, said it is estimated that only

13 percent of all faculty, staff and students at Fresno State use tobacco products. In addition to restrictions on smoking, she said, the new policy would include an educational component to provide smoking cessation programs for the campus community.

Final determinations of exact locations for designated smoking areas have not been made. However, the proposed areas designated for smoking are:

• One corner of O'Neill Park
• Between shipping and receiving and the Crime Lab
• Near the patio on the northeast corner of the Peters Business Building
• Between Conley Art and Joyal Administration
• On the east side of the Smittcamp Alumni House
• Near the Kremen education building
• One table near the Satellite Student Union
• A portion of the patio to the north of the University Student Union
• Near the north side of Speech Arts
• Between Psych/Human Services, McKee Fisk, Social Science, and Family and Food Sciences
• On the west end of Engineering West
• Between the Madden Library and the Residence Dining facility
• Near the residence halls
• On the north side of the North Gym
• Berms currently designated in the football, softball and baseball stadiums

Comments on the proposed areas or suggestions for other designated smoking areas may be sent to any of the committee members: Sam Gitchell, Gary Wilson, Ryan Jacobsen, Pete Millier, Bruce Whitworth, Tom Ebert, Steve Martinez, and Jeannine Raymond.

Back to University Journal, 11/05/02 Issue