The University made significant steps forward in discussions over the soon-to-be implemented smoke-free policy on campus, with the Faculty Senate discussing logistics of the state-mandated policy and Student Government opposing any policy that would ban all forms of tobacco.
The smoke-free campus requirement stems from Act No. 211, signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal in July 2013. The legislation requires public post secondary education institutions to develop smoke-free policies for its campuses beginning Aug. 1.
At Wednesday’s Faculty Senate meeting, Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Enrollment Kurt Keppler said the University will not look to enforce the proposed smoking ban with the LSU Police Department. Instead, the University is examining the use of “peer pressure” to discourage people from smoking on campus, he said, though he did leave open the possibility of punishment for repeat offenders.
A number of suggestions which would require substantial resources were ruled out, including a designated smoking area, Keppler said.
The Faculty Senate acknowledged potential exceptions to the proposed ban, including smoking on the sidewalks of Highland Road, which is not owned by the University. Smoking in vehicles on campus with the windows up may also be allowed.
In addition, Keppler said although difficult to contain, smoking on game days would be banned.
The University may offer s classes to help faculty and staff to ease the transition into a smoke-free campus, Keppler said.
The University did not decide whether to pursue a tobacco-free campus policy in addition to smoke-free campus, Keppler said. According to the act, tobacco-free is defined as “the prohibition on the use of tobacco derived or containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookah-smoked products, and oral tobacco products.” This would include e-cigarretes.
Instead, SG was left to debate the issue, ultimately passing a resolution against the possible tobacco ban Wednesday night. The students’ voices should outweigh the faculty’s vote, said Speaker Pro Tempore Trey Schwartzenburg.
“This is a lifestyle policy that affects everyone equally. We need to be heard more than 5,000 faculty members,” Schwartzenburg said. “Students are 86 percent of the population.”
From the survey conducted during November and December of 2013, about 60 percent of students were against the tobacco ban and only 40 percent supported it.
SG’s resolution will be passed on to Alexander who will make the final decision on the tobacco ban.