MU to gradually ban smoking

Officials cite student support for the policy.

By Joey Soto

Published Dec. 11, 2008

The movement toward a smoke-free campus will take the first of three steps when students return from winter break.

MU officials released the new on-campus smoking policy Wednesday after months of discussion and deliberation. Administration cited student support as a reason for the decision, MU spokesman Christian Basi said.

"We have consulted with a variety of different groups and organizations, and we have been petitioned for both a ban and lenient smoking restrictions," Basi said. "We've had folks on both sides of the issue we've spoken with and we feel that this first step is a good compromise at this point."

But the Missouri Students Association Senate voted down legislation last week that called for a campus-wide smoking ban, and the Residence Halls Association passed a resolution in favor of smokers' rights, saying that students could smoke on residence halls balconies if the students sharing that floor agreed.

The first phase of the plan goes into effect on Jan. 20. An MU news release stated the new policy restricts smoking "on MU owned or leased property within 20 feet of any building entrances, exits, windows and fresh air intake systems."

Basi said the university is simply expanding the policies it began decades ago.

"When you think about smoking on campus, we have been making a gradual shift toward a smoke free campus for a fairly long time," Basi said. "Decades ago it was just accepted that people would smoke in offices and public areas. It wasn't uncommon. But little by little the university has developed policies restricting that smoking."

Accommodations are being made for both students and faculty smokers with the implementation of smoking cessation programs, according to the news release.

"It's not as if we've said we're going to make a dramatic change in our policy and not provide people the tools to adjust to it, as well as to help and encourage them to move to a healthier living environment," Basi said.

Chancellor Brady Deaton echoed Basi's explanation of the hope for healthier lifestyles as a result of the policy.

"I am pleased with our new policy because it promotes good health while allowing faculty, staff and students time to make adjustments through each of its phases," Deaton said.

The difference in Deaton's policy from the MSA resolution might have favorable reaction in the MSA Senate, said Craig Stevenson, Associated Students of the University of Missouri Board chairman.

"One of the things that people were concerned about was how quick to move to non-smoking because people thought the MSA bill skipped the first step," Stevenson said. "Chancellor Deaton added the first step to make the process more gradual."

Although Stevenson was always in favor of the legislation, he said he realizes those who smoke on campus might be upset with the decision.

"It's a little more difficult to accept for those who already smoke on campus," Stevenson said, "But the gradual change will allow attitudes to slowly change."

Basi said he expects the new policy to be enforced the same way as the existing system.

"It will enforced primarily with volunteering," Basi said. "That's actually how the current policy is being enforced and we've had very little adverse affects."

Phases two and three of the three-step process are set to occur three years apart. Phase two will commence on July 1, 2011, calling for smoking allowed only in designated smoking areas on campus.

Phase three is the ultimate goal, which Deaton said he hopes will be a smoke-free campus by Jan. 1, 2014.

"Deaton knows the change isn't going to happen overnight and you can't expect it will happen next week or next month or next year," Stevenson said. "But he makes a statement that it's our intent to join over 160 campuses nation wide that are smoke free."