Promoting a Smoke Free campus for UNM
(February 2005.) Have spoken with many employees as to why we have to walk around second hand smoke areas when we walk out of buildings.
(September 2005.)
Then I saw the student article in the daily lobo. I sent a note to authors to see if there was anything we could do to change the current policy.
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"We believe everyone should have free reign over his or her body. Piercings, tattoos or
even drugs - these are personal choices and individual rights. Our motto has always been,
"Your body, your choice." But when someone's actions directly infringe upon our personal
health, we become quite irritated.
On campus from day to day, we stroll along to each class and then often suddenly find ourselves in a cloud of cigarette smoke. Most of the time, it is too late when we finally notice that someone walking or standing near us is exhaling puffs of harmful carcinogens into our breathing air. In just a couple short breaths, our lungs are filled with the dangerous toxins of tobacco from secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke is one of the only environmental pollutants that has been conclusively proven to be hazardous to the health of both adults and children. It is appalling that we students who do not smoke and those who do not wish to be exposed to such harmful substances have no way of completely preventing contact with it. What is even more appalling is that UNM Housing Services encourages students to smoke in places where other students have no chance of avoiding the poisons.
Every dorm on campus has been outfitted with smoker's stations that have been attached to the wall within five feet of the doors. Students are being asked to smoke in a place where other students have no opportunity to sidestep the hazard. Furthermore, those who live in the dorms must stop to find keys and unlock the door, which can cause upward of 30 seconds of exposure. Every other building on campus has a "No smoking within 15 feet" sign, and we feel that this should be implemented for dormitories as well.
The University needs to implement and enforce policies that more effectively protect those who are conscious of their health, and Housing Services needs to take appropriate action to remove these hazards from campus residences.
Nathaniel Schneider, Kristen Woodruff, UNM students"
Had enough of changing my exiting habits from buildings. Asked my staff councilor to introduce a bill for a smoke free campus on (October 24, 2005) . To my delight she accepted.
Attended (December 2, 2005) Employee rights committee. Presented a resolution. Don Burge also submitted a resolution. Here are my minutes from that meeting:
Don introduced discussion item. Alan went on tangent about SUV emissions by administration, Barbara questioned chimney uses and junk food as other health hazards. She noted she is thankful for current regulations. She claimed a smoke free campus will cause employees to be unable to work. She feared employees would be forced to quit to work on campus. There was a brief discussion on how alcohol is currently regulated on campus. Wayne touched on how UNM is a public serving institution. I spoke up stating to the committee, that the resolution is about smoke free campus. I noted the importance of improving health environment conditions for staff, students, patients, and visitors of all ages.
I also stated that there are current regulations to smoke free outside areas on sporting events. Tom negates the expert scientific evidence that second hand smoke outside is harmful. He works for SHEA.
Barbara took call outside (coached). She came back (missed part of discussion) and immediately asked to table resolutions "until we look at effects of outdoor use". Don noted that no amount of evidence is going to change her idea, right. Barbara answered right.I note that It is not a civil right to endanger others with second hand smoke.I also noted, according to the ACS there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Also quoted that A full 30% of all cancers are caused by tobacco use.
Don S. shared with me – The American College Health Association acknowledges and supports the findings of the Surgeon General that tobacco use in any form, active and/or passive, is a significant health hazard. Don introduced a similar bill back in 1993.
(December 5, 2005) met with Expose student group.
(December, 2005). - The latest is that at the staff council meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 1 PM, Hokona Auditorium, Don will ask that his resolution come out of committee and be brought before the whole staff council. He needs a 2/3 vote from the council. I hope those that vote against provide a reason for their vote. I spoke with Mimi. Also spoke with Dave. Some feedback from colleagues: Smokers (councilor) will smoke anyway. I am a strong supporter of self policing. The resolutions put together are not in any way an attack on smokers (nor are they "anti-smoker"). The purpose is to improve health on campus for all public visitors, and extend our lives. The tobacco industry is a bully. Some smokers learn their tactics. Due to their addiction some will resort to threats of physical violence. We cannot give into these terror threats. Rather we need to get the police and other agencies to prosecute those who send threats.
The first thing I can think of is this sounds like much of what UNM had to go through when first passing the smoke free buildings & current smoking restrictions on campus. This is a similar effort. Health first. We will look back and say, how did we ever have smoke on campus, much like we look and say, how did we have smoking indoors. Some I've talked to believe passing such a policy will reduce healthcare costs. there are so many more positive outcomes that will come from this. In working with cessation programs and the administration and the state government great programs/incentives can come forward to reward non-smokers and encourage smokers to quit or reduce their use (with prizes and other rewards). Therefore, the ultimate outcome for me in this resolution is that UNM Staff Council promote A Smoke Free Campus
12-12-05 This has all happened so fast. I hope we have portrayed a passionate plea to all staff and administration that a smoke free campus is the proper course of action. Other measures - WHO - Why is tobacco a public health priority? Miracle gro. - Miracle Gro Gives Ultimatum To Smoking Employees http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=47920 Quit to live - 'Quit to Live' Volunteers Resist the Urge to Light Up http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/QuitToLive/story?id=1360219 Should I start wearing Nose pins or should we sell wrist bands that promote smoke free campus that we can use to cover our noses when we pass by smokers? ++++ 12-14-05 My notes from Smoke Free Campus Coalition meeting November 9, 2005: Coalition for a UNM Smoke-Free Campus I provided background on the two proposed resolutions. Indicated support from Don & Sabra. State Dept of Health grants will stipulate working toward a smoke free campus for 2006 awards. Suggestions on allies by Cynthia. Suggested having incremental changes and removing butt receptacles from near buildings. Suggested contacting HMO's to see how much money employees will save on such a policy. Next coalition meeting January 20th, 1 PM. My notes from Staff Council Meeting, Nov 13, 2005. Mimi removed smoke free resolution from new business. She attempted to skip Employee Rights Committee Report. Tom gave report. I indicated why the resolutions were tabled pending more reports. Student, Nate spoke on the need to have smoke rule similar to quiet rule in residence halls. He is seeking a healthier living area, odor free, removing cloud of smoke outside entrance to residence hall. Mary and Bev, supporters in attendance who will plan on being at next meeting. Law school has restricted smoking areas. Juan, CRTC, former staff councilor, grade 12, and a life long second hand smoker. I strongly urge you to vote to pull this out of employee rights and before the full council for discussion. Through discussion I hope in a couple of years UNM will be smoke free. I am disappointed in the employee rights committee meeting & I don't believe the resolutions were thoroughly reviewed by all the members. Please read the hand out letter to the editor. A young woman is asking for our help to improve campus health. Please also see the handout with all the peer institutions who have already gone smoke free nationwide (another handout is on Presbyterian hospital being smoke free). We work for a Public facility - I ask that Staff Council work to promote a healthier campus for visitors (of all ages, from preschool to elderly), prospective students, enrolled students, staff, & faculty, & hospital patients. I am saddened when I think of the poor example we set to young visitors and the harmful effects of second hand smoke we and they inhale daily. Last week I witnessed a visitor smoking in a no smoking area and his daughter playing above him inhaling second hand smoke. UNM is a flagship institution for the state in research, healthcare, & education and should lead by being the first university in the state to have a healthy, smoke free campus. UNM Health Science Center (our Medical Institute) and University Hospital can make a difference in promoting healthy lifestyles by going smoke free campus wide. I believe that as UNM goes smoke free this will reduce our health care premiums. In ending - The surgeon general notes, "There is no safe level of exposure to second hand smoke." & "Tobacco use in any form, active or passive is a significant health hazard." Subsequently, we have day care centers on campus. Staff Council is a policy setting entity and should promote health for our young ones. Mission Our mission is to provide added value to health care through: " leadership in providing innovative, collaborative education; " advancing the frontiers of science through research critical to the future of health care; " delivering health care services that are at the forefront of science; " facilitating partnerships with public and private biomedical and health enterprises. Vision Our vision is to identify and solve the most important questions of human health in our communities through education, scholarship and service with commitment to the HSC core values.