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Inside Iowa State, a newspaper for faculty and staff, is published by the Office of University Relations.

Nov. 3, 2006

Smoking task force seeks campus input

by Erin Rosacker

Two groups are looking at Iowa State's smoking policy and both are asking for campus input on the issue.

The smoking policy development task force led by Ken Kerns of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), and the policies and procedures committee of the Professional and Scientific (P&S) Council are both moving forward with efforts to change ISU's current smoking policy.

The campus task force has produced a draft of proposed changes for public comment. The draft, which is available on the policy library Web site, will be posted for review during the month of November.

The proposed revisions include smoke-free areas within 25 feet of building entrances, exits, windows and air intakes. This includes the Iowa State Center, outside events and activities, and gathering areas such as patios and courtyards. A 10-foot smoking ban is suggested for outdoor entry or service lines (tickets, event admissions, bus stops, ATMs, etc.), outdoor eating areas and outdoor shelters such as bus stops.

The policy does make exceptions for private living areas in university housing, labs working on smoking research, theatrical performances and areas that may be unable to comply with the 25-foot ban due to location. Building supervisors and facilities planning and management would be responsible for designating the smoking areas. EH&S would oversee implementation of the policy and handle disputes.

Your two cents

Input on the revised draft is encouraged by e-mailing smokingpolicy@iastate.edu. In addition, a pair of public forums led by the task force have been scheduled on Nov. 14 in the Memorial Union -- the first at noon in the Cardinal Room and the second at 7 p.m. in the South Ballroom. Anyone interested in discussing the draft policy is invited to attend.

"The task force will take all of those comments into consideration and will revise the draft as needed," said policy administrator Sheryl Rippke. "A final version of the policy will be submitted for vice presidential and presidential approval."

P&S proposal goes a step further

The P&S Council solicited input from P&S employees in an e-mailed newsletter last week, with an Oct. 31 deadline for comment.

At last month's council meeting, a motion was introduced that called for President Gregory Geoffroy to extend smoke-free areas to 25 feet from campus buildings by Jan. 1. It also suggested a Jan. 1, 2008, deadline for an entirely smoke-free campus.

The council is scheduled to vote on the motion at its Nov. 3 meeting.

Summary

The draft of proposed changes to the smoking policy can be viewed online in the Policy Library.

Two public forums are scheduled for Nov. 14 in the Memorial Union:

  • Noon, Cardinal Room
  • 7 p.m., South Ballroom

Feedback can be sent to smokingpolicy@iastate.edu.