2008 Woodie Awards
Tobacco forum sparks discussion
Serena Collins
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
Students, faculty and staff had the chance to hear more about possible changes in Kirkwood Community College's smoking policy April 17 in Iowa Hall's Gritter Room. Attendees also had a chance to tell others why they agree or disagree with those plans.
Josh Troutman, recreation center director, began the meeting by giving students a history of the issue and information about the Tobacco Policy Task Force. He turned the meeting over to Beth Ritter Ruback, project manager for Clean Air For Everyone. Ruback presented a brief power point presentation that gave facts of tobacco and secondhand smoke, smoking policies in other community colleges and the issue in the news before opening the floor for questions and discussion.
A number of the questions posed at the discussion pertained to the smokers and non-smokers rights. Most smokers or former smokers agreed that it isn't fair for people to have to breathe in second hand smoke. The main question was how the changes would take place because the rules stand for all of Kirkwood's 11 locations.
One student's suggestion of implementing the 25-foot ban on one building at a time was viewed by some to be unfair to students in other buildings that still allowed smoking around entrances.
There was a general understanding that no one should be punished for an addiction. However, when the idea of purchasing a smoking hut was posed, the majority of the attendants said they do not want tuition to be used in this way because it seems to condone the habit.
The Tobacco Policy Task Force began when President Mick Starcevich approached Tom Kaldenberg, executive director of facilities and management, about the idea.
"We consulted Beth Ritter Ruback because she had worked with the University of Iowa's task force. She suggested we set up positions consisting of faculty, staff and students," said Troutman.
The Kirkwood Wellness Committee is also on the task force. Troutman said he believes the open discussion was necessary for students to share their thoughts.
"Obviously any changes in policy are going to effect everyone. We want to make sure everyone affected by that has a chance to voice his or her opinion. We want to get everyone's input," Troutman explained.
Troutman said that changes in the policy will not be made this fall. "This is not going to happen immediately, it will happen gradually," he said.
Josh Troutman, recreation center director, began the meeting by giving students a history of the issue and information about the Tobacco Policy Task Force. He turned the meeting over to Beth Ritter Ruback, project manager for Clean Air For Everyone. Ruback presented a brief power point presentation that gave facts of tobacco and secondhand smoke, smoking policies in other community colleges and the issue in the news before opening the floor for questions and discussion.
A number of the questions posed at the discussion pertained to the smokers and non-smokers rights. Most smokers or former smokers agreed that it isn't fair for people to have to breathe in second hand smoke. The main question was how the changes would take place because the rules stand for all of Kirkwood's 11 locations.
One student's suggestion of implementing the 25-foot ban on one building at a time was viewed by some to be unfair to students in other buildings that still allowed smoking around entrances.
There was a general understanding that no one should be punished for an addiction. However, when the idea of purchasing a smoking hut was posed, the majority of the attendants said they do not want tuition to be used in this way because it seems to condone the habit.
The Tobacco Policy Task Force began when President Mick Starcevich approached Tom Kaldenberg, executive director of facilities and management, about the idea.
"We consulted Beth Ritter Ruback because she had worked with the University of Iowa's task force. She suggested we set up positions consisting of faculty, staff and students," said Troutman.
The Kirkwood Wellness Committee is also on the task force. Troutman said he believes the open discussion was necessary for students to share their thoughts.
"Obviously any changes in policy are going to effect everyone. We want to make sure everyone affected by that has a chance to voice his or her opinion. We want to get everyone's input," Troutman explained.
Troutman said that changes in the policy will not be made this fall. "This is not going to happen immediately, it will happen gradually," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
DriftyAlison0
Renee Wenzel
posted 8/11/07 @ 7:21 PM CST
I agree. Non smokers shouldn't have to breathe in the smoke. I understand that its an addiction but smokers chose to continue their addiction and not to quit. (Continued…)
Joe Shreeves
posted 1/31/08 @ 2:18 PM CST
Research has proven that second hand smoke is hazardous; it is time for a smoke free campus, health care cost and litter control would be a major savings for Kirkwood. (Continued…)
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