By: Ashley Flaherty
As of September 11, 2008, Pennsylvania state university campuses went smoke-free both indoors and out. Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester are all the colleges that are included in this newly passed law. This regulation falls under the Clean Indoor Air Act which declares that an area that provides an education should also be a tobacco-free public place. This enraged so many students and employees at three out of the fourteen campuses that protests were actually held on the passed act. The Clean Indoor Air Act is not only affecting college campuses, but indoor work areas and places where the public is “invited or permitted,” as well.
The question that seems to be arising around campus is, “Isn’t this law taking away from a person’s freedom and choice?” It may be understandable that smoking is banned at indoor facilities, but why should the law affect what individuals choose to do when they step outside? I believe it should be an individual’s decision to do what they want to their body, and as long as tobacco is available to buy, it should not be banned of its usage outdoors. A person may feel they are unable to escape the smoke when trapped inside a facility, but once they are outside they can simply walk away if it is becomes a bother to them.
Now what exactly are the consequences if caught smoking on campus? The answer to that question is a two-hundred and fifty dollar fine. Although that is a large expense for broke college students, it seems that most people are choosing to rebel against the new law anyways. Is the marginal benefit of smoking that cigarette worth the marginal cost of a citation? As of today, I believe that cops are being extremely lenient towards students smoking on campus. Personally, I have heard of very few individuals actually receiving a fine, and most are getting off with a simple warning. As of now, the marginal benefit of smoking is outweighing the marginal cost of paying off an expensive fine for the majority of students.
In conclusion, I do not believe students will take the Clean Indoor Air Act seriously until the consequences are taken into extreme effects. Only when the marginal cost of receiving a fine is larger than the marginal benefit of smoking that cigarette will people reduce their actions of smoking on campus. Until then, it will most likely be found that students will continue to smoke on college properties even if they are risking a costly citation.
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/09/photos_pa_sshe_campuses.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I was not aware that California was a smoke free campus. This is partly because I see people smoking on campus and also because I’m not a (cigarette) smoker. With that said, it is obvious that the law that prohibits smoking on campus is not strictly enforced. In order to further prevention of smoking on campuses, the fines need to be more seriously implemented. If students that smoke were fined, they wouldn’t have any money for their cigarettes.
-Ryan Slaby
I did not know this campus was supposed to be a smoke free campus either. It is true that the restrictions do not seem to be followed. People smoke all over campus. It is not always easy to avoid cigarette smoke when people are lighting up when they come out of class. Practically, everyone is aware that second hand smoke is worse. Even with stricter fines set in place people would still smoke. When cigarette prices go up people still buy them. However, if stricter restrictions were set into place many smokers might not want to go to Calu.
- Caitlin Koceski
Post a Comment