Inconsistent Enforcement of Smoking Ban Creates Confusion Among Smokers, Non-smokers

By Taylor Richardson

Story 2: Diverse Leads | MC 1313

Megan Lovelady T/TH

Rough draft

A year after the instatement of a tobacco-free policy at Texas State University, cigarette butts continue to litter the ground beneath well-intentioned “No Smoking” signs. 

After the announcement of the new policy by University President Denise M. Trauth, signs appeared on campus, and a formal policy was drafted defining boundaries, expectations and guidelines for compliance.  Effective Aug. 1, 2011, UPPS No. 04.05.02 banned the use of all tobacco products on all campus property, including adjacent sidewalks.

Despite the measures taken by the University, many students and faculty members continue to smoke on campus. 

Catherine Street, 22, said that she knows of students and teachers that have hiding places where they smoke between classes.

Beginning in the Fall 2012 semester, University authorities claim they will issue fines to anyone caught in violation of the policy.

Brian Dang, who is beginning his second year at Texas State, said, “I heard that people were getting tickets again. I feel like the university doesn’t know what to do, and they’re leaving it to the discretion of individual officers.”

Dang, a smoker himself, isn’t the only one who feels the enforcement of the ban has been inconsistent.

Brenda Leon, 18, supports the tobacco ban, but she thinks the policy isn’t enforced. She said that she still sees people smoking everywhere.

Some students believe the smoking ban has made campus dirtier.

Emily Collins, 20, said, “The memorial gardens are now an ashtray, and people leave their cigarette butts everywhere because there are no ashtrays.”

Many students feel that imposing fines is a step in the right direction.

Haley Dougherty, a Music Education major, said that she agrees with the issuance of citations, adding that by doing so the University was following through with its mandate.

A review of the policy, however, reveals that the University’s Student Handbook and website do not explicitly outline this new plan of enforcement and compliance.

The website cites a two-step approach to enforcement of the policy.  First, persons violating the policy should first be informed that the use of tobacco is not permitted anywhere on campus.

“The expectation is that persons will voluntarily comply with the policy.”

Persons who repeatedly violate the policy should be reported to a university management official.