Ally Lenz and Elise Nelson/Guest Reporters

According to Winona State University’s Tobacco-Free Environment Policy, tobacco is not allowed anywhere on university property. A recent survey conducted at Winona State shows more than 90 percent of students have seen someone smoking on campus.

Other results from the survey indicated more than 60 percent of students believe Winona State does not enforce the tobacco-free policy well. Another 13 percent were undecided as to whether it is enforced well or not.

Participants in the survey showed their concern for enforcement of the ban; students were quoted as saying they have, “never seen it happen,” or security “should be more strict” in its punishment of students and faculty who do not follow the ban.

Director of Winona State security Donald Walski said the enforcement of the tobacco-free policy is a low priority. He said it is an important issue, but security is busy with other problems on campus.

“Many times we have more important things to do than deal with smoking issues,” Walski said.

Karen Johnson, Winona State’s dean of students, said she wishes the tobacco-free policy were a higher priority, though she understands security’s staffing and commitment issues.

“It is important because it’s not only a facilities issue, but it’s also health and safety,” Johnson said. “Second-hand smoke is truly a problem. It’s dangerous, and that’s a health issue.”

With problematic smoking areas, Johnson said they try to send out more security. She said enforcement of the tobacco-free policy isn’t their primary role.

Walski said during the day his staff is minimal, but if they do see someone breaking Winona States’ policies, they will write up students or faculty.

Walski said it is hard for people to conform to a new  ordinance when there is no penalty.

“It’s a hard law to enforce,” Walski said. “The only thing on campus that shows no smoking are the blue signs.”

Survey participants suggested having more signs to cut down the number of smoking violations.
Johnson said Winona State’s former President Judith Ramaley did not want “no smoking” signs displayed on campus. According to Johnson, Ramaley thought the signs would be “unsightly.”

Johnson said students have the most impact on the success of the tobacco-free policy, though she understands students may not be comfortable approaching a smoker on campus.

“It’s especially hard for students to walk up to their peers and say, ‘Are you aware of the Tobacco-Free Policy?’” Johnson said.

Johnson emphasizes it is better to respectfully remind people where they can smoke.

Stephanie Russell, a Winona State English major, said she isn’t surprised by the number of times people have seen others smoking on campus.

“Winona State tries so hard to maintain this image of a healthy campus,” Russell said, “but when it comes to a subject like this, they’re so lax about it. That doesn’t make any sense.”

Russell said while Winona State does enforce the ban, they do not enforce it well.

Russell said, “Do they enforce it at all? Yes. Do they enforce it well? No.”

She thinks security is not confrontational if there is a problem, and suggested security make a more definite plan, laying out exactly where smokers can and cannot smoke.

“If you really defined the boundaries of campus, I think those numbers would really go down a lot,” Russell said.

Survey participants also made suggestions ranging from “enforcing it more,” and “setting more serious consequences if caught,” to specifying “specific smoking areas.”

According to Johnson, there was initially a “25-foot-rule” for the campus, indicating smokers had to be 25 feet away from any campus building. She said it was an issue because security couldn’t measure the exact distance. Johnson said smokers now have the option to smoke on the sidewalks surrounding campus, as the streets are public property.

Johnson said security cannot fine students, but they could charge a fee. She said if the smoking issue escalated, they would consider using different tactics. According to Johnson, security has never charged a fee to a smoker for being on campus.

“We haven’t ever done that, because like all of Winona State, we want to make it educational,” Johnson said.

Contact Ally at [email protected]
Contact Elise at [email protected]