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St. Cloud State University
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SCSU to prevent smoking
By Nick Hansen
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Media Credit: Adam Masloski
Justin Skulleruud stands outside Stewart Hall while smoking a cigarette Tuesday. A new anti-smoking campaign headed by posters is soon to come into effect.
For some students, 10 minutes between classes or a quick break on campus isn't complete without a cigarette in hand.
Third year student and smoker, Casey Zehrer, realizes this trend. However, he doesn't think much can be done to stop it.
"I think by the time you get to college, a poster on a wall is not going to keep you from smoking," Zehrer said.
SCSU has a different perspective on the matter. Within the next few weeks, posters will be distributed throughout campus intended to curb smoking by young adults. The posters feature SCSU athletes claiming that participation in a sport is the only addiction they need.
The posters come as part of a $700 grant from CentraCare Health foundation. In total, over 1,300 posters have been printed.
"It's the beginning to a great nonsmoking campaign," Troy Shafer of SCSU Health Services said. "Athletes are a good way to start it, they are good role models."
"People are trying to make places more smoke free," Shafer said. The actual number of smokers is decreasing and the popular message that everyone is doing it is not true, he said.
The new signs are not the only steps SCSU has taken to prevent smoking. Last year, SCSU implemented nonsmoking signs in front of buildings such as Stewart Hall. Smoking was also eliminated in all of the residence halls.
SCSU first year student, Bill Livingston, said it is important to respect the rights of smokers and nonsmokers alike.
"If you are going to smoke, you have to respect the people who don't," Livingston said.
The smoking ordinances on campus are a good idea, he said, but are often broken or not enforced. The feeling is generally accepted.
"We can't really enforce it (smoking ordinances)," Shafer said. "It's more peer pressure."
Other smoking regulations have recently taken place throughout the state. The Minnesota department of health has made it mandatory for business owners to either install a designated smoking area with a ventilation system or ban smoking altogether.
Other cities in the State such as Duluth and Moose Lake have banned smoking in all restaurants and bars.
Although no smoking bans of that severity have come to St. Cloud it is a possibility in the future.
"Alcohol and cigarettes go hand in hand," fifth year student, Rachel Carbno, said explaining the ties bars have to smoking. Going out would not be the same, she said.
Zehrer is pessimistic when it comes to the new posters. Although he doesn't think that the new posters present a problem, he feels that they are contradictory. "It's ironic that they are trying to stop smoking, but are still selling cigarettes on campus," he said.
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