Students Vote to Ban Smoking – Edmonton University of Alberta
Students at the University of Alberta voted in favour of bringing in a controversial smoking ban that could eventually force smokers off the university campus before they light up.
While the vote would need support from university administration for the ban to be passed, 60 per cent of the undergraduate student voters voted to ban students from smoking outside on campus property, except for around student residences, by July 1.
Even those smokers would have to butt out by July 1, 2008, if the U of A administration decides to support and implement the ban.
“I just think it’s ridiculous,” said Bryan Buffi, a 21-year-old science student who voted against the ban. “It’s against people’s rights. Smoking is already banned from inside bars and restaurants. Outdoors is the last bit we have left to smoke.”
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Students also voted in favour of prohibiting the students’ union from continuing to sell chewing tobacco, cigarettes and other tobacco products in their student-owned businesses.
Three independent convenience stores in Hub Mall could continue to sell cigarettes. The students’ union, which could disregard or overturn the vote, says it would lose up to $50,000 with the move — $36,000 in tobacco sales and the rest from smokers’ other purchases.
One student said he wouldn’t have a problem if he had to walk to a public sidewalk on the edge of campus to light up. “I’ll probably slow down on smoking,” said Alan Hildebrandt, 29, who didn’t vote. “Everyone knows smoking isn’t good for you.”
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But Krista Williams and David Wilkie, who voted against the ban, said when they smoke outside, the smoke dissipates and hardly bothers non-smokers. They said smoke breaks between classes are important, especially during high-stress exam times.
“It’s going to suck,” said Wilkie, 22, who had just finished writing an oceanography exam. Williams estimates she smokes seven to eight cigarettes on campus each day. “I shouldn’t be forced to quit until I’m ready.”
Shereen Kangarloo, the student who led the tobacco-free team, said she’s excited that voters supported her idea.
Source: Canda.com