University of Louisiana prepares smoke- and tobacco-free policy

[NewsCopy]

The University of Louisiana is offering a review period for a revision to its smoking policy that is being developed.

Last year, the state passed legislation requiring public universities to develop smoke-free policies by fall 2014.

A committee of representatives from across the University has been refining ULs policy for several months, according to Joey Pons, associate director of public safety.

The proposed draft prohibits smoking and the use of all tobacco products on the entire campus, with limited exceptions. For example, people would be allowed to smoke on sidewalks along the perimeter of campus and within their parked cars, according to Pons.

The committee also decided to address e-cigarettes, which do not utilize tobacco and generate vapor rather than smoke. E-cigarettes would be permitted on campus grounds, but not within any buildings.

"Faculty, staff and student comments are welcome before the policy is finalized," Pons said. "The committee will review the policy six months after its implementation, and regularly thereafter."

The policy draft is at http://www.louisiana.edu/policy-draf...d-tobacco-free. Comments can be sent to safetyman@louisiana.edu by May 14.

Louisiana.edu

[CajunEXPRESS]

Seems extreme to me. But then some people do not want to avoid walking though a haze of smoke. Come on people if you are in YOUR window shut car anywhere I think that air belongs to you. Not enough is getting out to matter.

[Turbine]

Not sure if this is forward or backwards thinking.

UL had a smoke free policy in 1906

[CajunRebel]

The anti-smoking witch hunt continues.

Because some guy smoking outside by himself is a huge public danger to us all.

[RedCajun]

The anti-smoking witch hunt continues.

Because some guy smoking outside by himself is a huge public danger to us all.

As recently as 99-02 or so, you could still smoke inside the student union and drink at most bars at 18. Things were so different in the old days. lol

[leeman]

When I worked at UMC in the early 90's the patients were allowed to smoke in their rooms....How time have changed...........for the better.............

[DaddyCajun]

Not sure if this is forward or backwards thinking.

UL had a smoke free policy in 1906

Think that was SLII had a smoke free policy in 1906!

[Turbine]

Think that was SLII had a smoke free policy in 1906!

Your knowledge exceeds that of many but imo it is unnecessarily accurate.

I always try to refer to current day names.

Example: "When my wife was a kid" except my wife was never a kid. Ironing out that nuance would be an unnecessary attempt at being accurate.

[douglas]

How does smokeless tobacco harm anyone else? Smoking...whatever but a good chaw never harmed the person next to me

[CajunRebel]

How does smokeless tobacco harm anyone else? Smoking...whatever but a good chaw never harmed the person next to me

Shhhhh, there there Douglas.

Look, you just need to accept the fact that this committee knows better than you do when it comes to your own body. Trust them, they are doing the right thing. You need to be protected from yourself.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Tobacco one of the stool legs America was built on. In my history books of the mid 20th century it was always listed as a prime export. Tobacco, furs, and two or three others.

I get the health issue, and smoked with friends to follow the pack but quit before my 21st birthday. I consider myself a life long non smoker and I know, before someone corrects me, any smoke be it one murder stick, or second hand smoke is a risk. My point is only that I do not hate the smoker, the pushers of this product is another story. They used every trick in the book to hide their problems.

But we have gone nuts on this latest Salem witch hunt. My mother, a high school educated country girl, told me a three year old in 1951 to never smoke because it caused cancer as she puffed away. Somehow this country girl got the message, but the masses had no idea this was a real danger until the the early 21st century. At least that is what the federal government said as they raided the coffers of the tobacco giants.

[Derfdog]

It's less a public health issue and more of a people being inconsiderate asshats issue. Cigarette butts on the ground and spitting dip on the sidewalks or leaving dip cups/cans everywhere. It's just annoying. When I was a smoker, it was something that I tried to avoid. But I think I was in the minority