Spring Break
Smoking sucks the life out of campus
Dan Stokarski
Issue date: 2/3/09 Section: News
Change is sweeping NCC with smoking on its way out and a cleaner future coming in.
The general attitude toward smoking is no longer as glamorous as it once was. In the U.S. this shift started west and rapidly moved east. Many establishments such as bars, restaurants, airports and shopping areas have long since gone smoke-free.
The college administration believes that it is time the college gets on the anti-smoking bandwagon and outlaws smoking in its entirety. This is not the first time the college has proposed such a ban. This change could take place as soon as fall 2009 if the decision is made, said Dean of Students Mardi McGuire-Closson.
"I think the ban is awesome because cigarettes are disgusting," said Radio TV major Colleen Shea. "I do feel bad for people who can't smoke in between classes though because I know it's hard."
It has become apparent that smoke-free campuses are the way of the future, and NCC is behind the times. Lehigh Carbon, Reading and Montgomery community colleges are all smoke-free campuses. The smoking ban could prove to be a cleaner environment for students and staff alike with better air quality and litter control.
"Honestly, as a non-smoker I think the smoking ban is a good idea because I walk through the smoking area everyday to and from my car," said Dental-Hygiene student Lauren Myers. "But I understand how difficult this would make things for smokers and how difficult it is to stop smoking."
The Current system for handling smoking on campus is not always as effective as it was intended to be. NCC claims it is 90 percent smoke-free, yet there is an obscene amount of cigarette butts on the ground. The campus provides a plethora of cigarette disposable bins in designated smoking areas, but they seem to see little use said McGuire-Closson.
"I don't really have a problem with the 90 percent standard we have now, I doubt I will see a difference" said Criminal Justice major Andy Knauss. "I've never really had a problem with people who smoke, as long as they're not in my face."
The primary parties involved in the decision to ban smoking on campus see the subject differently. Although the College Life Committee and the Environmental Task Force believes that NCC is ready for the change, the Student Senate disagrees.
"I don't think it would be fair if the whole campus was smoke free, I think the designated smoking areas are enough," said Business Administration Jon Nelson. Smoking is not illegal. It just wouldn't be fair to people who choose to smoke."
Before the ban can take effect it must go through the Student Senate before it reaches President Art Scott and the Board of Trustees. The board will then vote on whether NCC will take the necessary steps to becoming entirely smoke-free.
The general attitude toward smoking is no longer as glamorous as it once was. In the U.S. this shift started west and rapidly moved east. Many establishments such as bars, restaurants, airports and shopping areas have long since gone smoke-free.
The college administration believes that it is time the college gets on the anti-smoking bandwagon and outlaws smoking in its entirety. This is not the first time the college has proposed such a ban. This change could take place as soon as fall 2009 if the decision is made, said Dean of Students Mardi McGuire-Closson.
"I think the ban is awesome because cigarettes are disgusting," said Radio TV major Colleen Shea. "I do feel bad for people who can't smoke in between classes though because I know it's hard."
It has become apparent that smoke-free campuses are the way of the future, and NCC is behind the times. Lehigh Carbon, Reading and Montgomery community colleges are all smoke-free campuses. The smoking ban could prove to be a cleaner environment for students and staff alike with better air quality and litter control.
"Honestly, as a non-smoker I think the smoking ban is a good idea because I walk through the smoking area everyday to and from my car," said Dental-Hygiene student Lauren Myers. "But I understand how difficult this would make things for smokers and how difficult it is to stop smoking."
The Current system for handling smoking on campus is not always as effective as it was intended to be. NCC claims it is 90 percent smoke-free, yet there is an obscene amount of cigarette butts on the ground. The campus provides a plethora of cigarette disposable bins in designated smoking areas, but they seem to see little use said McGuire-Closson.
"I don't really have a problem with the 90 percent standard we have now, I doubt I will see a difference" said Criminal Justice major Andy Knauss. "I've never really had a problem with people who smoke, as long as they're not in my face."
The primary parties involved in the decision to ban smoking on campus see the subject differently. Although the College Life Committee and the Environmental Task Force believes that NCC is ready for the change, the Student Senate disagrees.
"I don't think it would be fair if the whole campus was smoke free, I think the designated smoking areas are enough," said Business Administration Jon Nelson. Smoking is not illegal. It just wouldn't be fair to people who choose to smoke."
Before the ban can take effect it must go through the Student Senate before it reaches President Art Scott and the Board of Trustees. The board will then vote on whether NCC will take the necessary steps to becoming entirely smoke-free.
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