In 2014, an estimated 40 million Americans were current cigarette smokers. Approximately 480,000 Americans die each year from cigarettes. Of those deaths 41,000 die from secondhand smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection. 
Since January 2012, the entire USF St. Petersburg campus is a tobacco-free zone.
The USF System policy Non Smoking Areas, Section II states, “This policy covers all buildings, property and grounds where USFSP business is conducted. Faculty, staff, students, vendors and visitors are not allowed to use any tobacco products within this area.”
Throughout the week students can be spotted using tobacco products outside of the designated areas. The Peter Rudy Wallace court yard, Bayboro Harbor and for a few brave souls, outside of Davis Hall are all areas that students routinely use to skirt the university’s.
Though it has been four years since the rule was implemented, many students still seem to be unaware that the policy exists, what areas are tobacco-free and how to report tobacco use on campus.
“I was not even aware the school had that policy,” said Angelina Lindsay, a USFSP education major. “I see people smoking all the time.”
USFSP has taken measures to inform students by posting large “Tobacco Free Campus” signs on buildings. Students are also given a brief overview of the policy during orientation. That, however, is where the information stops and has left both tobacco and non-tobacco users feeling confused.
Cameron Phillips, a junior advertising major and a smoker, was not only unaware of the tobacco free policy but was also confused on which areas it covered.
“I know not to smoke by buildings, I never do that,” said Phillips. “But the entire campus? Like I can’t come down here by the bay and have a smoke?”
Non-tobacco users are just as confused on how they should report tobacco use
“I’m not sure who to report it to; I guess I would go to UPD first,” said Lindsay.
But according to Police Chief David Hendry, policy violations are not to be reported to UPD, but should be taken to the Student Code of Conduct Board.
The Conduct Boards can be reached at studentconduct@usfsp.edu. Though, there is a problem reporting violations in this manner. Those who file a report must know the name of the smoker, and to the average passerby this information is often unavailable, which tends to render the process useless.
The USFSP Wellness Center promotes health and wellbeing beyond university policies, offering free resources to help those who want to quit smoking.
