LBCC: To Smoke Or Not To Smoke

Photo courtesy of Linn-Benton Community College

Recent LBCC Confessions sparked interest when students posted on the social networking site that they were harassed by campus security while smoking in their car.

“Use of all tobacco products on any college property other than shelters established as designated smoking areas shall be prohibited,” reads the Administrative Policy of LBCC found on their website.

There are five designated smoking shelters on campus and security is enforcing this policy.

“Smoking etiquette really is a big issue,” said Bruce Thompson, Loss Prevention Coordinator. “A little courtesy goes a long way. Every indiscretion fuels the fire for a smoke-free campus.”

Many colleges have already declared their entire campus smoke-free. Neighboring OSU is one. There are dangers to allowing smoking on campus. According to Thompson, fires constantly start in trash cans as well as bark fires during the summer from carelessly discarded butts. In fact, LBCC lost an entire building about 11 years ago because of a trash can fire that escalated and burned it to the ground.

If caught smoking outside of the shelters, there is no fine. However, according to Thompson, repeated violations of the policy can lead to filing a disciplinary report on the offender.

Smoking shelters have been strategically placed where elements that can catch fire are not present. Smoking in a car raises concerns because if a fire was to spark near vehicles it could be catastrophic. However, campus policy does allow students to smoke in their car.

“Smoking in your car is permitted,” Thompson confirmed.

Security officer Jason Wells said, “If (students) are in their vehicle I will not approach them but if I see someone throw a butt out the window, that’s going to be an issue.”

Student and smoker Ben Gray recalls seeing people smoking in the parking lot being approached by concerned staff. He partly agrees that smoking in the parking lot may not be the right thing to do on behalf of the non-smoker.

“If I was a non-smoker I wouldn’t want ashes on my car or the smell of smoke coming in,” said Gray.

On the other hand, student and smoker RJ Frederick said, “(A car) is personal property so I say it should be fine. It’s just as far away as the booths.”

Cameron Barber, student and smoker, agrees with Frederick and said “During rainy days we shouldn’t be hassled in our cars, we’re trying to stay out of the rain and be warm.”

According to Wells, where he most finds people outside of designated areas is at the bus stops and the sidewalks leading up to the smoking shelters. Smokers are to stay off all sidewalks by the shelters as courtesy to non-smokers walking by.

LBCC is complying with the Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act (OICAA) by regulating smoking on campus. The purpose of OICAA is to reduce health hazards to persons inhaling cigarette smoke whom choose not to smoke. OICAA is included in the Oregon Smoke Free Workplace Law.

The 2010 Surgeon General Report states, “Low levels of, including second-hand smoke, lead to rapid and sharp endothelial dysfunction and inflammation (control of blood coagulation), which are implicated in acute cardiovascular events and thrombosis (heart attack and stroke).”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention accounts for almost 50,000 deaths a year from second-hand smoke, specifically lung cancer and heart disease.

To smoke or not to smoke, that is the choice. Trying to balance those two choices and making everyone happy is a challenge. Currently LBCC, unlike OSU, allows students the freedom of choice. Continuing to respect campus policies and staying within designated areas will bring less attention to the on going discussion of going completely smoke-free.

When potential harassment from security was brought to his attention, Thompson asked that any student approached by security about smoking in their car should relay that information to him.

“I’d be very interested in having a chat on a confidential basis,” he said, regarding the name of any security officer that violates the students’ right to smoke in their car.