The Seahawk

Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: News

Media Credit: UNCW implemented a policy fall 2008 that banned students from smoking within 25 feet of each building. UNCW implemented a policy fall 2008 that banned students from smoking within 25 feet of each building.

Currently, the rule at UNCW is that smokers must stay 25 feet from the entrance of buildings when smoking. However, some students feel as if this policy is often broken.

According to UNCW's Substance Abuse Prevention and Education Program, "CROSSROADS is dedicated to the advancement of thoughtful and healthy decision-making regarding the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs."

Director of Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Rebecca Caldwell said, "We have started with 25 feet because we knew we had a high level of support, and it is similar to the American College Health Association's recommendation of 20 feet."

According to Caldwell, the school received a grant from North Carolinas's Health and Wellness Trust Fund in 2005. It was used for policy advocacy and promoting the end of tobacco use.

The Campus Tobacco Coalition compiled a survey for students, faculty, and staff on campus tobacco use as well as completed an environmental survey. With their survey results, and the backing of SGA, RHA, Staff Council, Faculty Senate Building and Grounds committee, the Campus Tobacco Coalition presented the first UNCW tobacco policy to the Cabinet and Board of Trustees, where it was passed.

In the past, N.C. legislature did not allow for policies that restricted outdoor smoking. In July 2006, legislature allowed UNC campuses to regulate tobacco use up to 100 feet away from buildings.

It is illegal in N.C. for the universities in its system to be smoke-free.

According to Caldwell, even if students at an N.C. university want a smoke-free campus, "North Carolina, as a tobacco state, has a history of preemption laws around tobacco. This means that state agencies, cities, counties, etc. cannot make a rule that is more restrictive than the state law."

Recently, UNC Chapel Hill was featured in the news for enacting a 100 foot policy for smoking. This policy virtually created a smoke-free campus, because the buildings are so close together.

According to Caldwell, this would not work for UNCW because its buildings are so spread out.

Continued...

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