Though smoking was banned on campus in Jan. 2012, not all tobacco smokers acknowledge the rule. Cigarette butts continue to dot USF St. Petersburg property, their owners not far gone.
On Sunday, Sept. 8, after hearing a request from a student, Student Government Sen. Sophia Constantine made a post in the USFSP The Know It All’s Guide To Knowing It All! Facebook group asking for opinions on the possibility of bringing designated smoking zones to
Constantine posted a poll allowing students to take a stance on the smoking zones — either in favor, against, or somewhere in between. Seventy-eight of 119 voters were against the zones, while 28 voted in favor and 13 said they were in between.
Those opposing the designated smoking zones argue students wishing to smoke can walk to the Tavern, the Campus Grind or the end of a street corner. They feel smoking zones on a small campus are unnecessary and ineffective.
“I believe there are no spots on campus that are far enough for smokers to avoid interfering with nonsmokers,” Jennifer Ringhof, a senior, said.
Despite the ban, it’s common to see students smoking in places on campus such as the outside area of Peter Rudy Wallace building or the gap between the Campus Grind and Davis Hall.
For smokers living on campus, the stairwells in Residence Hall One are a popular refuge.
“I live in RHO [and my room is] closest to the staircase that lets out on the fifth [floor] and I can’t even use it because so many people smoke in there. All you see are buds sitting in the stairs and the smell is horrible,” Radhika Dang, a freshman, said.“I get horrible headaches from just the smell. And I also don’t like walking past someone who smokes and then the smell clings to me.”
On the other side of the argument, students, including some nonsmokers, feel those who do choose to smoke do not have enough time to leave the campus if they want to smoke during class breaks.
“[Smoking zones] would give smokers a chance to smoke on campus and nonsmokers a way to avoid the smoke caused from cigarettes,” said junior Kris Brown. “They might be on a 5 to 10 minute break from class so it would be pointless to walk off campus.”
According to Constantine, many other campuses have just one or two designated smoking areas.
“For the size of our campus, I feel something similar would be appropriate, if I were to move forward with this initiative. I would still like to hear more opinions from the students and ultimately find a solution that satisfies everyone,” she said.
If more students back this idea, Constantine would write a resolution to bring to the SG Senate. If SG supports the resolution, it would then be reviewed by campus administration.
