OSU President Burns Hargis said the policy aims to make OSU a clean and healthy environment.
"We have enough afflictions that affect the human condition without voluntarily adding to the problem,” he said. "It sets a strong example and a consistent example of our commitment to be a healthy and attractive campus.”
OSU's wellness center offers cessation help and, in some cases, medication and nicotine replacement products, to students and employees.
Student Charles Asbery sought help in October and has managed to stay cigarette-free for eight months. But he's still not happy about it.
Asbery said he felt forced to quit his 10-year habit because walking off campus to smoke would take away from his studies and studio time as an architecture student.
"I still personally believe there's nothing wrong with smoking,” said Asbery, 25. "They forced me to choose between being successful in college and continuing smoking. I'm not a very school-spirited person right now.”
Hargis said no one is forced to quit using tobacco.
"We think it's a very minor inconvenience to those that want to continue smoking,” he said. "It's not like we're cutting their leg off.”
OSU will not actively enforce the new policy unless a student or employee continues to violate the rules, said Robin Purdie, director of the Seretean Wellness Center.
"We aren't going to have people out ticketing,” she said.
"We are going to make people aware of the policy and hope they want to comply.”
Today, OSU students and employees are asked to mark the start of the tobacco ban by donning gloves and picking up cigarette butts across the campus.
Teams that collect the most trash will win a prize.
OSU-Oklahoma City went tobacco-free on Jan. 1 and has had few repeat violations of the ban, said spokeswoman Evelyn Bollenbach.
Cessation classes began three months ahead of the ban and continue, she said.
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I just want to say, as an OSU student, and as a smoker, I'm glad this new 'rule' has been put into place on campus. I am now less inclined to take smoke breaks while on campus and for that, I will smoke less. It's weird that sometimes I smell smoke and think, I need a cigarette and other times I'm disgusted. Either way, I will not have either of these reactions anymore and I'm quite happy about it. Pulling all nighters in the library might be a little tough to get through now but it's nothing a little, or a lot of coffee, red bull and chewing gum won't help. Thanks OSU for helping me stay a little healthier (minus the Red Bull and the all-nighters)
Just out of curiosity, I wonder how many that are against smoking have done any individual, real research on it that was not limited to anti-smoking pundits?
Do you believe it because it suits your prejudice or because you believe the government is really here to help you?
Well, Jacob, since you asked I would raise fuel, excise and other taxes on automobiles and accessories by the same percentage that tobacco has seen, as a start.
Tags, in addition to increased taxes would be rated by fuel mileage (8 cylinders would pay more than 6 or 4 cylinder cars) or an alternative would be to tax vehicles according to efficiency in conjunction with usage (verified by odometer); SUVs and other high polluters should be outlawed except for commercial use and then only allowed when needed, not for show. The extremely inefficient, non-commercial vehicles should be completely banned.
Then complaining about tobacco smoke would not be so hypocritical.
Besides, remember how the increase in taxes was touted to be to pay for the "extra" costs due to smoking? What happened to that money? It did NOT go for health of smokers or non-smokers, so once again, the public has been mislead about tobacco and it's "evils" and swallowed it, hook, line and sinker.
My point isn't to let me do what I want. We are a free country but I also believe in respect for others. I was saying that we all put up with idiots unfortunately but do not assume that all smokers (yes, they shouldn't smoke) are rude and nasty white trash. I am an OSU student!! lol I take online classes and when on campus choose NOT to smoke except in my car if I must on a break. Some smokers are respectful. I just do not want ppl to assume a predujiced thought of me if they see me smoking in my car- there are worst things. I did not smoke in the car with my children with windows up. That is stupid and wrong. I as a smoker do respect others. I just do not want it to get out of hand regarding freedoms. Fatty food and drive-thrus may be next.
K,Edmond - I must say saying a smoker is "too stupid and ignorant" is going a little too far. Cigarette packages do give a warning label. It all amounts to choices. Years ago there weren't warning labels so "stupid and ignorant" really can't apply to older folks. But yes, smoking is a very nasty habit.
Thanks S & Jacob. I was pretty sure that is was a full ban, and I think your right about smokeless not allowed in class. A to-go-cup with a lid and a straw still works for me to this day, sitting here in the cubie reading my emails and news.
Great news, we're finally catching up with the rest of the nation. Good job OSU!
ps. Smoking is a nasty habit that Does affect all those around you.. keep telling yourself that second hand smoke doesn't affect anyone or hurt your poor defenseless cooped up in your smelly car and smelly house children struggling to breathe, if it makes you feel better. I can't stand to see a smoker driving down the road and smoking with a baby strapped in a carseat w windows up. This ruling won't help them, obviously they are too stupid and ignorant to even think about attending college. Shame. Nicotine Patches are your friends.
This policy is off the mission of the university. As a former student there I cannot fathom how this policy would in any way enhance my degree. To the contrary, as a smoker, it would limit my time on campus and complicate my educational endeavors. I couldn’t care less what other people think about smoking given that they seem not to understand that correlation does not prove causation (statistics a harder class avoided by most students). So to my fellow comrades of Oklahoma Socialist University, both past and present, I say purge the smokers.
As a former smoker for well over 30 years (quit in Jan. of this year) and a strong proponent of individual rights, I must still agree with the ruling at OSU. while I started smoking in HS, it wasn't until college that I truly became a smoker. By the end of the first semester the die was cast. I could smoke in my dorm room and even in some classes at that time. While I've never bought in fully to the second-hand long-term dangers, there is little doubt how unbelievably annoying tobacco smoke is to others and in many cases, health altering. The point is that ANYTHING that will keep people from either picking the habit up (a frequent situation in college) or enabling the addiction is positive. I have to say that if you are an adult smoker and you see nothing wrong with smoking then you quite clearly aren't paying very close attention to reality. I find it amazing that we let kids smoke at 18 but not drink until they are 21. There is a far greater probability that the smoker will become addicted to tobacco than the drinker will become addicted to alcohol. In fact, the percentage of smokers who BEGAN smoking after age 21 is minimal. By-the-way, incase anyone wants to know, since January 4th I've saved over $1400 by not smoking. Just enough to keep gas in my car. Ha!
This is great! I went back to the campus last year for homecomming and I got my lungs full of smoke from some idiot student walking in front of me at the walk around. Some kids in college have no respect for other people these days atleast they can have some concern for other people and not smoke on campus. I guess this makes OSU more enviromentally friendlier than that sleezy school in Norman. I wonder what are they going to do if someone refuses to give an ID follow them home or to class?
Mark - this is the policy "All forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and snuff, are banned on Stillwater campus property, except for a small area of residential housing on the far northwest side of campus."
I read thru the comments below, and with the exception of the first post, everyone assumes smoking. Does this also ban smokeless tobacco?? I have been a smokeless user for, over 25 years. I've always tried to be decrete about, it my habit, no need to share. Its probably 50/50 of those smokers that try to not share their habit second-hand.
Just curious if its a full tobacco ban.
Michael, you are right about automobiles. Perhaps in your lifetime you will see hydrogen fuel cells that emit noting but water in their exhaust. In the meantime, automobiles continue to be a necessity, while cigarettes are clearly not.
Odd that freedom of choice does not apply to the biggest polluter and one of the biggest killers of all time -- Automobiles.
The hypocrites who approve of smoking bans on outside public areas based on it being unhealthy are among the most deplorable and hypocritical of lying Americans. I suppose you still expect weapons of mass destruction to be found in Iraq as well. How gullible can you be? (that's "gullible" spelled with a capitol "DUH").
America: land of the fee, home of the lawyers.
When another exercises their right of freedom, inadvertently, their right will intrude on another; there is a time and place for each. However, when both exercise their right and one is an imposition to the other, eventually the majority will rule. That’s part of the foundation of this country. However, when people lose sight of the consideration to another, eventually, they too, will be subject to a new law, or ban. It has taken a ban to reveal the inconsideration of others. Fortunately or unfortunately, that’s human nature. If we cannot, or are unwilling to, “police” our own, then it will give way to a government or institution dictating what one can and cannot do. And sadly, there are some people more willing to implement new laws rather than speak out and address the underlining issue. And what individual does not have any personal issues. I don’t know, but here lately it seems it makes more sense to some to hand over our freedom of choice through a new law or ban, than to personally, take into consideration the rights of others. Another new law or ban just seems like another form of hiding.
Now that OSU has banned tobacco use on their campus, will they ban the use of tobacco generated tax appropriations from the state when they determine their budgets? Just curious.
Smoking truly is the sign of an intelligent species making bad choices. Since I have become more aware of this reality, I tend to look at smokers as though their intelligence is less than average. I cannot do business with smokers because of their lack of good judgment.
"I am so sick of this "smokers force me to smell smoke" argument." DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT I AM SICK OF, MICHAEL? I am sick of people like you who want to talk about "rights" but don't want to acknowledge "duties." EVERY RIGHT HAS A DUTY ATTACHED! You have the "right" to smoke, BUT you have a "duty" to excercise that right in a way that doesn not infringe my right to breathe clean air. Your argument doesn't hold water. "Overweight, smelly and unemployed" people do not present a hazard to other's health. A person who smokes does. Is that so difficult to understand?
Micael, you're right, it would be nice if they enforced the 25 ft policy, but no one does. But why should I have to change my behavior because a smoker wants to engage in an activity that can endanger my life. It has nothing to do with annoying me. I don't care if you smoke. Light up, for all I care. I do care that I have to breath your smoke. Just like I care that I have to worry about drunk drivers. When someone's behavior starts to endanger other's life, IMHO, that's when I start having issues. Someone being overweight does not endanger my life. Someone with bad BO, does not endanger my life. Your examples are irrelevent.
And the whole no smoking within 25' of an entrance is almost entirely ignored at OU. I would at least appreciate being able to enter a building without holding my breath.
As long as I don't have to breath your smoke, that's fine. I have asthma and can barely breath when I am surrounded by smokers walking around campus. Second hand smoke does affect others. Debbie alluded to a liquor store- okay, I can't drink and drive and I can't be intoxicated in public, that's the law. A person is not allow by law to be a danger to others when consuming alchohol, but they can consume it WITH restrictions. I don't see how your point is valid other than you just wanting to do what you want, when you want, wherever you want.
Even though it feels good to OSU, state law controls on public grounds. OSU cannot pass "laws" that are a ticketable offense that are at odds with state law.
I am a 45 yr old smoker. I have quit 3 times-then started back. An addiction. I am a good person. I DO not throw trash/butts on the ground-have seen ppl not smoking litter..... But, I am not overweight, have low blood pressure, am not an alcoholic or judgemental. What are you???????? What freedom do you want to give up for me? Drive-thrus? Liquor stores? now there ya go....... ban liquer stores and leave my smoking alone- oh, and I plan to quit again and have great health insurance. I am not a drain to you.
I am so sick of this "smokers force me to smell smoke" argument. First of all, that's not true. We already have a state law that bans outdoor smoking within 25 feet of an entrance. If they would enforce that law, no one would have to walk through smoke to enter a building. Outside of that, your right to freedom of movement doesn't include the right to not be inconvenienced because you don't like the smell of smoke.
Second, OSU is a completely hypocritical institution. This law will NOT be enforced at football games. They say this is "voluntary" but it is only "voluntary" until people choose not to comply.
Finally, all of the rest of you out there who like this ban are hypocrites. There is ALWAYS a cost to freedom. Even if you're a non-smoker, you can be overweight, smelly, unemployed, rude, a bad driver, an uninsured driver, a whiner, or any other type of person that is a drain on society. The real issue is that some people now have the chance to ban a behavior that annoys them without having any responsibility to change their own behavior.
I, too, am proud of my alma mater and wish more schools would look at starting this. I am so tired of the "freedom of choice" argument. Your choice to smoke should not effect my choice not to and when I have to walk through your cigarette smoke to enter a building, you are now infringing on my choice not to smoke.
Lots of young people start smoking during high school and college. I have a college buddy who started in college at OSU and 30 years later he is still smoking. This will save lives.
People who throw their cig butts down onto the ground should have their butts thrown down onto the ground. It is stinky, vile, filthy and disgusting habit.
Another great reason to be proud of my alma mater. Now if the rest of this backwoods state would join the 21st century and ban smoking in all public places it would truly be a great day! And no, it isn't limiting freedom of choice. I don't advocate a ban on smoking. You can smoke all you want just don't exhale or let the smoke from that noxious cancer stick waft into the air that I breathe.
And btw, I started smoking in 1970, when we knew far less about smoking and it was far more socially acceptable. With what we know today, starting smoking is inexcusable.
I'll will be celebrating my 10th year of non smoking on Aug 31. And I think cigarette production should be banned , outlawed, made illegal and blackmarketers punished severely. Any young college student today who starts that habit should really not be considered to be smart enough to be in college. What a stupid thing to do .... stupid, stupid , stupid. Any academic instituition worth its salt would not award a degree upon someone stupid enough to start smoking.
As a non-smoker I think this is great. OU has the no smoking within 25' of any public entrance, but that's it. People generally ignore this, deciding its more important for them to smoke than for others to walk into a building without inhaling it. It gets very tiring getting caught in a cloud of smoke when walking to class as well. I hope OU follows with a ban of their own.
Even thgough I'm not a fan of the athletic empire building, I think the smoking ban is great. I chose to be healthy and not smoke, but after a day of classes I still smelled like a bar because there was a swarm of smokers around every door. When they changed the rules around doors, the brilliant minds in charge put the "designated smoking areas" around main pedestrian pathways - still came home smelling like a bus stop. Then there were the butts. They were everywhere. There were more butts on the sidewalk than in the "designated" containers. (but at least people were nice enough to put the used Chew and gum there) I think it's great. If you want emphasema, don't drag me into it. Smoke at home or get the patch.
Carl, why the heck do you care, Sooner loser?!
Every day you continue to show how stupid you are with your inane comments on anything OSU.
Have another donut, then change the oil in my car.
Amazing. I thought cowboys were know for their chewing and smoking. Looks like Burns is taking their identity away from the cowgirls also. Burns and Holder will ruin Okie state before it is over with.
•A survey of OSU students found that 24 percent smoked and nearly 34 percent used tobacco of some kind.
•A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said youth smoking rates have not declined in five years.
•Ninety percent of smokers start before age 21, according to the American Lung Association.
•The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 438,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each year in the United States, according to the CDC.
For help over the phone:
Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline: (800) QUIT-NOW
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
Do you believe it because it suits your prejudice or because you believe the government is really here to help you?
Tags, in addition to increased taxes would be rated by fuel mileage (8 cylinders would pay more than 6 or 4 cylinder cars) or an alternative would be to tax vehicles according to efficiency in conjunction with usage (verified by odometer); SUVs and other high polluters should be outlawed except for commercial use and then only allowed when needed, not for show. The extremely inefficient, non-commercial vehicles should be completely banned.
Then complaining about tobacco smoke would not be so hypocritical.
Besides, remember how the increase in taxes was touted to be to pay for the "extra" costs due to smoking? What happened to that money? It did NOT go for health of smokers or non-smokers, so once again, the public has been mislead about tobacco and it's "evils" and swallowed it, hook, line and sinker.
ps. Smoking is a nasty habit that Does affect all those around you.. keep telling yourself that second hand smoke doesn't affect anyone or hurt your poor defenseless cooped up in your smelly car and smelly house children struggling to breathe, if it makes you feel better. I can't stand to see a smoker driving down the road and smoking with a baby strapped in a carseat w windows up. This ruling won't help them, obviously they are too stupid and ignorant to even think about attending college. Shame. Nicotine Patches are your friends.
Just curious if its a full tobacco ban.
The hypocrites who approve of smoking bans on outside public areas based on it being unhealthy are among the most deplorable and hypocritical of lying Americans. I suppose you still expect weapons of mass destruction to be found in Iraq as well. How gullible can you be? (that's "gullible" spelled with a capitol "DUH").
America: land of the fee, home of the lawyers.
OU class of 1990.
Second, OSU is a completely hypocritical institution. This law will NOT be enforced at football games. They say this is "voluntary" but it is only "voluntary" until people choose not to comply.
Finally, all of the rest of you out there who like this ban are hypocrites. There is ALWAYS a cost to freedom. Even if you're a non-smoker, you can be overweight, smelly, unemployed, rude, a bad driver, an uninsured driver, a whiner, or any other type of person that is a drain on society. The real issue is that some people now have the chance to ban a behavior that annoys them without having any responsibility to change their own behavior.
Every day you continue to show how stupid you are with your inane comments on anything OSU.
Have another donut, then change the oil in my car.