[POLL] To smoke or not to smoke: Ban forces students to risk or quit

From planning to quit to sneaking outside their dorms, student smokers on UK’s campus are figuring out how they will deal with the impending tobacco ban.

The ban, which begins Thursday, will prohibit any tobacco on campus. However, enforcement for the ban will be mostly student and campus leader-dependent.

“It’s not about enforcement or forcing someone to do something … it’s about changing the habit and getting the help and making a safe environment for everyone,” said Ellen Hahn, co-chair of the Tobacco-Free Campus Task Force, in an October interview.

The tobacco ban will affect the entire campus.  Smokers will have to stand outside of the campus boundaries for a smoke break.  However, not all students are sure the ban will even impact campus.

Drew Simpson, secondary math education sophomore who lives in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity house on South Campus, questioned how the university is going to enforce the ban.

“I’ll feel like smoking a cig when I feel like smoking a cig,” Simpson said.  “I’m not an anarchist, but (smoking) is something to get me through the day.”

Greg Ackley, a chemical engineering sophomore living in the Blanding complex, said smoking outdoors does not affect anyone else.

“They should have designated areas (for smoking) rather than take it completely off campus,” Ackley said.

Chelsea Fischer, dietetics freshman, said Donovan’s residence advisers warned students if they were caught smoking, they would have to give out citations.

UK spokeswoman Kathy Johnson said RAs are already trained in monitoring for tobacco use.

“(RAs) have basically been following guidelines that have already been in place for them over the past few years when buildings on campus were made tobacco-free,” Johnson said.  “The only thing that will change is the consequences (of smoking on campus).”

Paige Coleman, a marketing freshman living in Blanding Tower, said enforcement on the ban would be lenient at first, but will get stricter as time goes on.

“They should’ve started (the ban) next semester, because students rely on cigarettes during finals,” Coleman said.  “It’s pointless to start it now.”

Brian Reifert, international studies and French sophomore who also lives in the Lambda Chi fraternity house, said driving smokers to the streets only makes it more dangerous, and will not have an affect on helping him quit.

“If I wanted to quit, I’d quit,” Reifert said.

Joey Moser, a pre-pharmacy sophomore who lives in Haggin, said UK was pushing it by enforcing the ban.

“What’s next, a dress code?” Moser said.  “Where are they going to draw the line?”

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