U of I Considers Campus Wide Smoking Ban

By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

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By Steve Nicoles

Story Created: Jan 4, 2007 at 6:28 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 4, 2007 at 6:33 PM CST

IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa is looking to become one of the first major universities to completely ban smoking. Removing cigarette smoke from the air by 2009 is a lofty goal. A university committee wants to start the discussion now, so Iowa can meet the deadline.

The report is already on interim-president Gary Fethke's desk. A plan to gradually snuff out cigarettes until the entire campus is breathing easy. Co-chair of the smoking review policy committee Susan Johnson said, “The biggest motivation for making changes on campus is the clear risk of danger from second hand smoke."

T committee wants to take steps to get to a campus-wide ban. First, any student living in university apartments who wants a smoke free building would get one by next fall. All university apartments would be smoke-free by the fall of 2008. UI student David Cwiertny said, “It could be good, but I think they'll have a hard time convincing all the students that it's better for the campus."

UI student Keri Rolland said, “It wouldn't get a good response because so many people smoke occasionally."

Everyone on campus has until April to give their opinion to Fethke. The earliest change would come in July when the 25-foot anti-smoking barrier around doors is expanded to include entire buildings. Still, a campus-wide smoke out will not be decided any time soon. Johnson said, “We think it's a big decision and one a lot of people should have input into."

The committee is in favor of banning smoking everywhere, but realizes it could be an unpopular decision. Here is at least one issue to consider. Johnson says there are few, if any, studies showing a danger of inhaling as you walk past a person smoking. Most second-hand smoke studies involve heavy smoke like in a bar.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com

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