Enforcement of tobacco ban to be same at Commonwealth
September 29, 2009 by Katie Perkowski · 3 Comments
Enforcement of the tobacco ban at the Nov. 28 UK football home game will rely on the same method used on every other part of campus — self-compliance.
Anthany Beatty, vice president for public safety, said the university would rely on every member of the community to report violations of the policy, and punishments would be no different than on any other part of campus.
Police will be instructed to approach people who are violating the ban, but they will not be more involved in enforcing the ban than anyone else at the stadium, Beatty said.
“Remember again, this is not a criminal offense so our police officers will not be involved in this unless it becomes a public safety issue,” Beatty said.
Brendan Space, a finance sophomore and smoker, said the ban would not stop him from smoking at the stadium and does not think it will be possible to enforce the ban.
“They can’t stop underage drinking so how are they going to stop smoking?” Space said.
Beatty said if an employee were found to be violating the ban, Human Resources would handle the matter. If a student violated it, the matter would be taken care of through the Code of Conduct.
Visitors violating the ban could be asked to leave the campus if they do not comply.
Hilary Caballero, a marketing sophomore and nonsmoker, said the policy further encourages her to never start smoking.
“It’s just going to make me not want to do it even more,” Caballero said.
At the game in November, student and employee groups will hand out literature and information about the policy, its implementation and campus expectations, Beatty said.
“The approach will be again just everyone informing those who are offenders that tobacco products and smoking is not allowed on the property,” Beatty said.
Beatty said people would continue participating in cleanup efforts the days after games to take care of discarded cigarette butts in and around the stadium.
I agree, the policy does NOT require smokers to quit smoking, it does require that smokers not smoke on the campus. Policy encourages students and visitors to be supportive and respectful as colleagues who smoke make the transition to the new policy. Smoking is a powerful addiction, and people who smoke may choose NOT to quit smoking or perhaps if an individual desires to quit smoking, they will be trying different strategies to see how to best comply with the new policy.
Katie Perkowski , thank you for the humorous article.
One is sure that the “Commonwealth Smoke Police,” led by Czar Anthany Beatty, vice president for public safety, said the university would rely on every member of the community to report violations of the policy, and punishments would be no different than on any other part of campus,” will be active.
Yawn — there will be zero enforcement, at the start. The policymakers are hoping to create an environment of compliance, and thus, are counting on us, the public, to police each other. Embarrasment, and shame is their hope for compliance. The policy is expected to become part of the environment, similar to the alcohol policy. So, get ready to police thy neighbors!
Why has not anyone asked, by the way, how much money is being spent on this “campaign” (more than $300,000)… and, why has nobody asked about the in town statues/memorandum of understandings/ and boundaries? (The boundaries will extend more than 20 feet from the property line, into the middle of the streets. Feel free to smoke on the Rose Street median). And, finally, why has nobody asked the reason BCTCS will NOT be tobacco free, although it sits on UK property? (BCTCS is refusing to comply. Ask the administration to verify).