What is being done abour enforcing the tobacco-free policy? I have come across students sitting in the stair wells of Ortega Hall smoking away. Before the policy came into effect, this had never occurred. Who can we contact when we run across a violation of the policy?

What do you do when someone violates the policy? You keep walking because unless the person is following you around blowing smoke in your face they are not causing malicious harm.

Julie,
Call the president, or better yet, call Pat Burge. They’ll know what to do…
Or you could just keep on walking like Regina suggests.

The real issue is the University is trying to enforce a new policy on everyone without any implication of what will be done to students or faculty who disobey the new rules. If there aren’t any negative actions following a violation, there won’t be any real change. In contrast, people choose to do what they want to do, even if it means there will be consequences. Drunk driving is a PERFECT example. Everyone knows it’s illegal, and everyone knows you will go to JAIL if you violate that law, but people do it anyway, repeatedly. Yes, a new rule will cause some state of reform, but it will not abolish the actions. —Walk away from people who are smoking. Maybe even hold your breath for a few seconds as you pass by if you’re really worried about your health. Act as if you were in another public place that is outside.

It appears to me as though smokers have no rights according to UNM. As long as smoking is legal (as opposed to drunk driving), I, as a smoker, should have the right to light up a cigarette whereever I wish. UNM has stated that there are 12 smoking areas on campus. I have only been able to locate (online or in person) 4 areas where I may smoke. I would guess that it is just as harmful to anyones health (from automobile exhaust) to walk across Central Ave to the McD’s at Yale St as it is to have to smell (yes, smoke from cigs does stink) the smoke from the cigs at the smoking area outside of Northrup Hall. Smoking cigs is legal, and smokers should have places to smoke that are convenient for us. I dont like the smell of the sweat from the person who rode his/her bike to class, but that doesnt mean I am asking that person to stop riding their bike to class.

Actually, Nick, the right to light up WHEREVER you wish is not implied by smoking’s legality. Property rights still apply, and the campus is UNM property. I rent my apartment, but I can tell you not to smoke a cigarette in my living room if I want and kick you out of my apartment if you give me any crap about it. It’s my right, and UNM has the same right on UNM property. It’s legal for me to drink alcohol, but not on campus. It’s legal for some to carry guns, but not in court. People and organizations have the right to set the rules for the property they have domain over.

I’m all for people fighting for their rights, but they need to have a realistic idea of what those rights really are before doing so.

Indeed. It is very inconvenient for us who smoke, which is legal. I like how you brought up the fact about automobile exhaust. No one seems to realize that we live in a city… If you live half of a mile away and you bike or walk, you probably pass about 100 cars on your way to school. Which, if measured, has a MUCH higher concentration of carbon monoxide you come in contact with EVERYDAY, than a few people on campus smoking cigarettes. It all comes down to the people just not liking smoking, and especially not liking people who smoke. So what do they do when they don’t like what you’re doing? They try to impose their beliefs and choices upon us, claiming they’re doing it for a “healthier campus”. When in fact, nothing has changed nor will it change as long as smoking remains legal.