The Observer, October 19, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 8
Ban adjustment easier with cooperation
To the Editor:
It's been a long time coming for the institution of a campus-wide smoking initiative. From the USG undergraduate survey, which created hoopla of its own, followed by another altogether similar survey of Case faculty, staff, and students, the wait for some sort of policy is finally over. Specifically, I am excited about one thing: the empowerment of students to deal with one of the greatest nuisances on this campus – transplanted smokers from our recently recognized namesake, the Case Medical Center (CMC).
It started years ago with smokers behind Schmitt and the bus stop on Adelbert, and now finally smokers from the hospital unabashedly smoke directly across the street in the courtyard in front of Kent Hale Smith. I have in the past resisted shouting out inappropriate things like "Students aren't your ashtray," "The point is to encourage you to stop smoking," and, when I'm feeling less inspired, "Smokers are jokers." I've restrained myself for one reason: I had no justification beside my own personal opinion.
Adelbert Road is now contained within the jurisdiction of the smoking policy. It is butt up against a rock (Case main quad) and a hard place (the CMC), meaning smoking must be restricted to designated areas, if anywhere at all. While I understand that these policies will not stop or most likely even deter smokers, the "magnet effect" of directing smoking to designated areas removes the smoking from those who have willfully chosen not to smoke. However, if you recognize someone violating the policy and smoking elsewhere, don't immediately reach for your phone to call Case Police, the Ohio tip line, or a Residence Life staff member. Take it upon yourself to kindly ask that person to observe the policy and direct them to the nearest designated location. Notice, it will be just as useful to nonsmokers to be educated on the policy as smokers. In order for it to succeed, it will need to be kept in the minds of all, but also respect the decision of those who smoke to do so, as this policy is not meant as punishment, but is being forced upon us by state law and for the overall health of those here at Case. If we all do our part to implement this policy smoothly, we can finally be done with the "smoking issue" at Case, unless you'd rather take another survey.
Doug Bentley
Undergraduate student
