A smoking ban will be enacted on Aug. 11, prohibiting students, faculty and staff from smoking anywhere on campus except for their personal vehicles.
Discussion about the smoking ban has taken place for the past two years. The ban has picked up momentum in the last seven months, sparking discussion and a Tobacco Task Force. Although tobacco products were banned from buildings in 1997, there were concerns about people continuing to smoke in the entrances of buildings.
In a campuswide e-mail, President Paul Stanton described ETSU as a “flagship health sciences university” and said that ETSU has a responsibility for maintaining a smoke and tobacco free environment.
“Revising the policy to reflect increasing concerns about smoking and the use of other tobacco products is an appropriate response to these ongoing issues,” Stanton said.
The Faculty Senate and the Staff Senate supported the resolution from the beginning. While the Student Government Association was initially involved with discussions about the ban and informally voted against it, there was never a formal vote on the ban.
“‘It’s going to happen, so you can get on board if you want, but it’s going to happen regardless’ – that was the message,” said SGA President Joshua Shearin.
The backlash from disgruntled students has fallen on deafend ears. Because the SGA never had a formal vote the students voice was never heard and the ban was passed. Shearin wished that the SGA had made a stand but because of the divided opinions on the issue, a decision was never reached.
“I had hoped that we would come out in a strong stance either against it or for it,” said Shearin.
However, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Health Affairs, Dr. Wilsie S. Bishop insisted that SGA was not ignored.
“There was momentum to support this before the SGA reached the point where they voted down the resolution,” she said. Bishop said SGA was involved with many discussions leading up to the smoking ban.
“Out of these discussions that people had it became very clear that it was the right thing to do,” said Bishop. “If we are going to be an institution that focuses on health care, and if one in every six deaths in America is due to tobacco use and tobacco products, then it is irresponsible for the university not to take a step that is important for changing behavior and for healthy outcomes.”
Some people were concern that the university passed this ban when the current regulations were not enforced.
“What we did before, with taking smokers out of the buildings, was not solving the issue and it was not very enforceable. . So since the problem wasn’t resolved, the next step was taken, which was a total ban,” said Bishop.
The university is phasing the ban in to ensure that all students and faculty are aware. The university will put up signs and banners, and increase smoking cessation resources available to the public.
“We want to be timely, so that everyone can adapt to the new ban,” said Stanton. “We want to ensure adequate notice for everyone.”
The smoking ban will be based on an honor code, and administrators hope that students will eventually police themselves.
Investigator Brandon Powell of Public Safety said no one has ever been penalized for breaking the current smoking regulations on campus. It is not likely that there will be fines for smoking ban violators.
Administrators also hope that a number of health education programs will raise awareness about the dangers of smoking.
“You can’t eradicate addictive behaviors just by making a policy, but you can begin a process of health education,” said Bishop. “You can begin a process of behavioral changes that reinforce positive behaviors, and you can set a campus expectation.”
The ban applies to all tobacco products, not just cigarettes and cigarette smoke. The use of tobacco products on campus will be limited to personal vehicles.
Some students feel that the ban is a violation of their personal liberties.
“I think I will have stressful days when I will need a smoke and have to go to my car,” said undergraduate student Matt Lyle. “It’s lame.”
Jimmy Rose, a senior and criminal justice major said, “I think people should be allowed to smoke in certain areas.”
Signs and banners announcing the new regulations will be posted around campus within a few weeks.
A Web site for those looking to quit smoking can be found at http://health.state.tn.us/tobaccoquitline.htm.

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