Staff Editorial: Return of ashtrays to campus brings questions, confusion
Issue date: 10/19/09 Section: Opinions
The view and stance on smoking on campus has been made clear over the past year. The ashtrays that sat at nearly every entrance to nearly every building on campus have been removed. A few can still be seen but they are few and far between.
The Health and Education Resource Center experimented earlier this year with the campaign to encourage smokers to keep at least 25 feet away from building entrances as opposed to the state-mandated 15 feet.
By now, smokers should know where they stand in the eyes of the campus community.
Which is why a recent move might leave many students, smokers and non-smokers alike, somewhat confused.
The university has recently returned several ashtrays near the entrances of buildings-much closer than 25 feet from the doorways, no less.
The university should make up its mind.
The HERC made it known earlier this year that the ultimate end game was to make Eastern an entirely smoke-free campus. When the ashtrays began to disappear and smokers were asked to stay even farther away from entrances, it seemed as though the idea was gaining some traction. Now, with the return of ashtrays, the university seems to be back-pedaling.
We think the university should find a way to accommodate both sides of the issue. Perhaps setting up some designated smoking areas around campus that are a good distance from buildings. Smokers could find a place to congregate, smoke and, ideally, subject as few non-smokers as possible, as well as reduce greatly the amount of litter that is generated from the constant flicking and tossing of cigarette butts.
As of now, smokers will most likely return to smoking near doorways and the whole issue has come full-circle. We are now back to the original problem.
Furthermore, the quality of these new ashtrays has to be called into question.
These new ashtrays are the kind commonly seen outside bars and restaurants-flimsy, plastic basins with slender necks leading to a tiny hole in which smokers can deposit their butts. These plastic ashtrays can often be seen smoking as people throw trash and wrappers inside them, which then catches fire when someone drops a butt in that isn't fully extinguished. With the threat of the ashtrays smoking and burning and the close location to buildings, the danger of another building catching fire is far too great for comfort.
The Health and Education Resource Center experimented earlier this year with the campaign to encourage smokers to keep at least 25 feet away from building entrances as opposed to the state-mandated 15 feet.
By now, smokers should know where they stand in the eyes of the campus community.
Which is why a recent move might leave many students, smokers and non-smokers alike, somewhat confused.
The university has recently returned several ashtrays near the entrances of buildings-much closer than 25 feet from the doorways, no less.
The university should make up its mind.
The HERC made it known earlier this year that the ultimate end game was to make Eastern an entirely smoke-free campus. When the ashtrays began to disappear and smokers were asked to stay even farther away from entrances, it seemed as though the idea was gaining some traction. Now, with the return of ashtrays, the university seems to be back-pedaling.
We think the university should find a way to accommodate both sides of the issue. Perhaps setting up some designated smoking areas around campus that are a good distance from buildings. Smokers could find a place to congregate, smoke and, ideally, subject as few non-smokers as possible, as well as reduce greatly the amount of litter that is generated from the constant flicking and tossing of cigarette butts.
As of now, smokers will most likely return to smoking near doorways and the whole issue has come full-circle. We are now back to the original problem.
Furthermore, the quality of these new ashtrays has to be called into question.
These new ashtrays are the kind commonly seen outside bars and restaurants-flimsy, plastic basins with slender necks leading to a tiny hole in which smokers can deposit their butts. These plastic ashtrays can often be seen smoking as people throw trash and wrappers inside them, which then catches fire when someone drops a butt in that isn't fully extinguished. With the threat of the ashtrays smoking and burning and the close location to buildings, the danger of another building catching fire is far too great for comfort.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
harleyrider1978
posted 10/19/09 @ 7:10 AM CST
SECOND HAND SMOKE IS A JOKE. Ask the anti-tobacco folks to tell you what truly is in second hand smoke...when it burns from the coal its oxygenated and everything is burned and turned into water vapor. (Continued…)
Chester Field
posted 10/19/09 @ 9:20 AM CST
First of all, Illinois Law states that smokers are relegated to smoking 15 feet from doorways, windows that open, and ventillation units, NOT 25 feet as HERC would personally prefer. (Continued…)
usedtosmoke
posted 10/22/09 @ 9:18 PM CST
Harleyrider, you're kidding yourself with all that pseudodata you've found from pro-smoking websites. Bottom line: the writing is on the wall. It's time to quit, friend. (Continued…)
Geology Giant
posted 10/26/09 @ 12:56 PM CST
Those ashtray would be good for buring copies of the DEN. This paper sucks. The DEN sucks.
Fin.
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