No-tobacco policy brings more problems

By: The Traveler Editorial Board

Posted: 8/27/08

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past year and a half, you probably know about the discussion and approval of the UA no-tobacco policy, which doesn't outline any punishments for violators who are caught smoking on campus.

And, just like it seems, the problem lies within the vagueness of the policy - UA students are either ignoring their new tobacco-free campus, or they're very confused.

How do we know?

People are still smoking on campus. And because no more metal cigarette bins are provided, a new problem has emerged: smokers just throw their cigarette butts on the ground.

Although a punishment would seem to some students, faculty and staff as a violation of their rights, the UA administration needs to take a harder stance on the policy. Enforcement might prevent smokers from littering, something UA officials should take note of if they're interested in promoting a "green" campus.

And the problem of littering cigarette butts looks to only worsen this weekend with the first home football game this weekend. If the no-tobacco policy won't be enforced, the amount of tailgaters and fans who regularly smoke before, during and after athletic events should be offered a place to throw away their cigarettes in an environmentally friendly fashion, because some are sure to still light up.

With UA administrators making leaps and bounds to help the university become one of the greenest in the country, other issues need to be taken into account than just recycling and alternative transportation.

The tobacco policy simply needs to compromised on, enforced or abolished. With such wishy-washy guidelines, the UA community can't have a clear view on where the UA is heading.