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Tobacco-Free Campus Policy Focused on Compliance
By: Micaela Marshall
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While students have become aware of a new tobacco policy, many are unclear of the rules and regulations around the policy.
Ohio University joined many other Ohio colleges and universities this fall by adopting a tobacco-free campus policy based on a recommendation from the Ohio Board of Regents.
Cathy Lee, the Tobacco-free Campus Coordinator, the Tobacco-free Task Force and the Tobacco-free Campus Ambassadors are regulating the change.
“Overwhelmingly, the majority of people are very happy about the policy,” Lee said.
Lee said that although there are many positive health benefits associated with a tobacco-free campus, some people believe they should have the right to smoke wherever they want.
“I think you’re always going to get some kind of negative feedback with a change like this and I won’t always assume that it is from tobacco users. There are some people who feel strongly that this is a personal right issue,” Lee said.
Since it is not a criminal offense to smoke, Ohio University Police Department is not involved with the policy. For now, there is no enforcement or punishment for smoking despite the policy.