CORNER BROOK — Memorial University of Newfoundland is revising its very dated smoking policy, and some students, faculty and staff at Grenfell Campus had their say on it Wednesday.
Approximately 20 people attended an open forum to discuss the draft policy document which has been established university-wide.
The suggested policy states: “In accordance with the Smoke Free Environment Act, smoking is prohibited in any indoor or other enclosed space. While Memorial does not encourage smoking, smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas. Smoking is not permitted near doorways including pedways and tunnels, or near windows and ventilation intakes.”
It will replace the current policy: “Effective September 1, 1992, smoking is prohibited in University buildings and facilities, with the exception of the following areas: residences. Certain residence buildings permit smoking.”
The latter part of that policy is no longer valid. Smoking is banned from inside residences.
Sheila Miller, director of health and safety with Memorial, acknowledged the current policy does not reflect university rules or existing legislation. She said practices within universities across the country vary — with some banning smoking and others do not, while there are also varying degrees of restrictions.
Smoking at entrances has been identified as a major concern at the St. John’s campus, but she said she did not get the impression it was a huge issue at Grenfell. The comment drew the criticism of many people in attendance.
Smoking at entranceways was identified as a problem at just about every doorway to Grenfell, but specifically areas adjacent to the library, the gymnasium or pool, and at the fine arts building. These are areas which receive high volumes of public traffic, most notably children.
The policy itself did not receive as much attention as the procedures which will eventually accompany it. There was never any debate about whether such a policy is required, with even smokers in attendance agreeing it is necessary. However, there were differences in opinion related to what should be implemented and aspects such as monitoring and enforcement.
Pam Moores and Bill Allan, who both sit on the Tobacco Free Network, inquired about why a smoke-free campus policy is not suggested as opposed to designated areas.
Among other reasons, Miller said, due to the number of students who live on campus, it becomes a safety issue for students to leave university grounds to smoke.
Moores said there are residents in long-term care facilities and students in schools throughout the Western School District who smoke, but have to abide by non-smoking policies.
“It is an issue, I agree, but it is not something that has stopped policy from moving forward to a smoke-free environment,” she said.
Allan said such concerns would have permitted smoking bans in bars, restaurants, hospitals and recreation facilities. He also spoke about the benefits of a smoking ban, which he said would serve as an incentive for people to quit.
Halfway position
Bill Iams, vice principal at Grenfell, commended the university for what he said is perceived as a halfway position. He said he is a smoker, but does not do so on campus.
“There are people who smoke, some are addicted and some just like to smoke, I think this is the really sensible way to go with the policy — establishing designated areas,” he said. He also said it was important to create shelters or huts as designated areas.
Robert Leamon, Grenfell College Student Union, shared a similar perspective. He said he represents all students, including those who smoke.
“As much as we can sit here and say, we don’t think anybody on campus should smoke, it is still their decision,” he said.
Peter Stewart, a professor at Grenfell, identified himself as possible the token smoker in the room. He said he smokes on campus, but that he feels bad when non-smokers pass by him. He agreed with the policy and getting smokers away form entrances, however he has a strong view on the perceptions of temporary exposure to second-hand smoke.
“Walking through the smoke might smell bad and it might make you ill in whatever way, but the chemicals people talk about is an overreaction,” he said. “... It is not good for you, but it is not going to kill you ... This is an overblown issue, that has been blown out of proportion by a number of media outlets and whatever. I get the issue, but I think people are taking it a bit too seriously.”
Submissions on the policy will be accepted until March 30.
