2008 Woodie Awards
Smoker law is self-regulated
Jane Ahern
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
Scottsdale Community College is filled with smokers.
Breezeways and benches appear perpetually choked by clouds of cigarette smoke, while Smoke Free Arizona posters and stickers adorn common areas and classroom doors. Navigating the rules and don't use partial quoteske, as well as their non-smoking counterparts.
The Tobacco-Free Environment policy at SCC prohibits smoking in enclosed buildings and within 25 feet of building entrances.
According to Ginny Stahl, vice president of Student Affairs, the policy was established over 20 years ago and is not related to Proposition 201 of last year.
"The policies themselves are determined by the governing board," she says.
Although many 'no-smoking' signs on campus are accompanied by the Smoke Free Arizona logo and phone number, SCC is located on land owned by the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Reservation, making the act inapplicable on campus.
"It's very complicated," says Stahl. "Sometimes board policy supersedes, sometimes state law supersedes, and sometimes the community supersedes. And usually they're not in conflict. It would not be an issue I would expect the community to be concerned about."
Enforcement of this policy, according to "The Blue Book 2007 Edition," depends upon the cooperation of smokers. Violations are to be handled through normal channels.
"It's not specific enough," says Stahl, who is unaware of any action to enforce the policy more stringently. Ultimately, she says, "the true responsibility lies with the smoker to smoke only in designated areas."
As for the Smoke Free AZ postings around campus, Stahl says, "I haven't seen them."
Morgan Macaluso, a 22-year-old marketing major, is taking a full load of classes, working part time, and smoking in between. "It's definitely relaxing. I know when I'm stressed out, I always want a cigarette," she says.
This, according to Dr. John Nagy, chair of the SCC Life Sciences Department, only increases the damage that smoking causes. Under stress, blood pressure is high, which smoking only exacerbates. The calming sensation, says Nagy, is related to the psychological component of the addiction.
Breezeways and benches appear perpetually choked by clouds of cigarette smoke, while Smoke Free Arizona posters and stickers adorn common areas and classroom doors. Navigating the rules and don't use partial quoteske, as well as their non-smoking counterparts.
The Tobacco-Free Environment policy at SCC prohibits smoking in enclosed buildings and within 25 feet of building entrances.
According to Ginny Stahl, vice president of Student Affairs, the policy was established over 20 years ago and is not related to Proposition 201 of last year.
"The policies themselves are determined by the governing board," she says.
Although many 'no-smoking' signs on campus are accompanied by the Smoke Free Arizona logo and phone number, SCC is located on land owned by the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Reservation, making the act inapplicable on campus.
"It's very complicated," says Stahl. "Sometimes board policy supersedes, sometimes state law supersedes, and sometimes the community supersedes. And usually they're not in conflict. It would not be an issue I would expect the community to be concerned about."
Enforcement of this policy, according to "The Blue Book 2007 Edition," depends upon the cooperation of smokers. Violations are to be handled through normal channels.
"It's not specific enough," says Stahl, who is unaware of any action to enforce the policy more stringently. Ultimately, she says, "the true responsibility lies with the smoker to smoke only in designated areas."
As for the Smoke Free AZ postings around campus, Stahl says, "I haven't seen them."
Morgan Macaluso, a 22-year-old marketing major, is taking a full load of classes, working part time, and smoking in between. "It's definitely relaxing. I know when I'm stressed out, I always want a cigarette," she says.
This, according to Dr. John Nagy, chair of the SCC Life Sciences Department, only increases the damage that smoking causes. Under stress, blood pressure is high, which smoking only exacerbates. The calming sensation, says Nagy, is related to the psychological component of the addiction.
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