Last April, Student Government Association members formally requested that administrators develop methods to enforce the tobacco-free policy on campus.

“We wanted to create a stricter ban on smoking. Applying to both faculty and students, we had an idea to fine persons caught smoking and have the proceeds go toward upgrades in the wellness center,” history senior Marcos Torres said. “I know that it is an addiction so we have to be courteous of other’s needs, but if something wants to be done about smoking on campus, then it needs to be either completely smoke free or not.”

Since then, the faculty and staff senates both passed the same resolution, leaving in the hands of Vice President of Student Affairs Keith Lamb. While staff, faculty and students thought the enforcement methods would be in place this past fall, it has yet to be enforced due to disagreements by administration on punishment.

“Addiction is very strong. We need to care about people and find out a framework that disciplines in a non-punitive manner,” Lamb said.

The choice to smoke depends on the addiction, but some students feel as if they should have a say since they are placed around it.

Brandon Allen, a junior in engineering, said, “I am indifferent to smoking. If someone wants to harm themselves with it, then it is ultimately their choice. But if someone has a problem with it then they should just be able to ask them to put it out or move on to another area,”

Second-hand smoke has the same amount of harmful chemicals as the initial puff by the user, making it no more safe to breath in than smoking it firsthand. People that inhale second hand smoke are at risk of getting asthma attacks, cellular deterioration, and even cancer.

With the current policy, the students and people on campus are supposed to first ask the user to stop. If the smoker does not comply then it is urged to refer the person to a provost, vice president, associate vice president, dean, or director of the university.

“Personally as a student who has lived on campus and still visits campus regularly for class, I don’t see a problem with people smoking on campus. I can see how some people do though,” said accounting junior Katie Esterer. “Smoking for sure damages health but why enforce a fine on such a small amount of people. They are already hurting themselves with it.”

Since the policy is peer-to-peer enforced, all that the university police can do is confront the person smoking about the current specifications, according to university police officer Albert Jimenes.

“As a non-smoker I agree with the policy and will enforce it as much as I can by referring them to the student code of conduct, but we don’t have many other options than that due to the current policy,” he said. “I will be happy to enforce fines or a stricter punishment following a policy change though,” Jimenes said.

To start a change in enforcement, Lamb stated that there will be a grace period for smokers, giving them pamphlets and trying to help get them to quit instead of charging them straight off the bat. “We need to respect other peoples choices. We don’t want it to be a punitive type of thing, just to help guide them in the write direction,” said Lamb.

Supposed to be amended last fall, administrators continue to work on a framework that respects everyone, looking now to have an enforceable policy in place next fall.

“I don’t smoke to hurt anyone else, I just want to help ease some stress,” psychology junior Caleb Latimer said. “If someone came up and asked me to stop or move I would, but I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be. It is my choice to smoke but if someone is offended by it then I will be happy to oblige their needs,” Latimer said.

According to the Journal of Pediatric Psychology June 2005, 87 percent of students who smoke nicotine at least once daily are chemically dependent. And nearly 9 out of 10 cigarette smokers first smoked by age 18, making it 99 percent by the age of 26.