The Observer, January 26, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 14
USG to finalize smoking referendum
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After today's smoking referendum vote, smokers on campus may have to find a new place to light up.
Today is the last day to vote on one of three resolutions to be passed as USG's official smoking referendum. The three resolutions offer different solutions to the clash between smokers and nonsmokers.
Resolution A, if passed, would call for a smoke-free campus except in areas classified as public domain – areas owned by the city.
Resolution B would create designated smoking areas on campus, including areas of public domain. The resolution also calls for the implementation of a university task force, including students, to determine the locations of the smoking areas.
Resolution C would have the opposite effect – it would create smoke-free areas within a certain distance of campus buildings and around permanent structures such as balconies, overhangs, stairs, and porches.
All resolutions call for the implementation of tobacco cessation programs, which would cost $34 per person per year, according to Joshua Hollabaugh, USG Chief Judicial Officer and Parliamentarian. USG would also look into the possibility of creating a physical education course that would focus on addiction cessation.
Prohibitions would also be placed on the sale of tobacco on campus as well as the free distribution of tobacco products and the advertisement of tobacco products in university publications.
The university would also have the right to prohibit smoking in areas that might interfere with ventilation systems.
The idea for the referendum came after a "constant flow of complaints," according to Myles Nickolich, VP of Student Life for USG. The passage of the SmokeFree Ohio legislation in November's elections as well as the implementation of smoking bans at colleges across the nation also contributed to the effort.
"We're not going out on a limb with the ban," said Hollabaugh.
The smoking referendum seems to be a big issue for Case; 1079 students had cast votes as of Tuesday.
"We have the potential to get more votes for this than for the election of USG officers," said Nickolich.
USG is not the final arbiter of a potential smoking ban. The results of the referendum vote will be passed to university administration, who will decide whether action should be taken. The referendum will serve as the student body voice on the issue.
"We're not trying to shove this down anyone's throat," said Nickolich. "We're just trying to get student opinion."
