Photo found at: http://www.umass.edu/uhs/services/tobacco/
While researching the roots of the UMass tobacco-free policy, I became curious as to how students reacted. A quick search yielded a heated news article from the campus newspaper, The Daily Collegian. The article was following the announcement of the new policy, but before the policy was implemented. Nathan Lamb’s article “Students should fume over smoking ban” made many bold statements. He claimed that the policy had an “intrinsically shady nature” and that it was “an ultimatum handed down by the faculty telling students what legal products or substances they can or cannot use during their stay at UMass”. Lamb’s main point was that the University’s administration did not attend to student voice when considering the policy.
My opinions of Lamb’s piece can be guessed by looking at some of my other posts. I am 100% in support of a ban on tobacco products, thus my bias caused me to take his points less seriously. I know you all are tired of me tooting my own opinions, so I wanted to share with you the opinions of other students. Sampling 20 honors students living within the honors college, I found some strong opinions. After reading Lamb’s article to my peers, I essentially sparked a debate on whether his points were valid and whether the policy is justified. The debate actually became heated at some points; my peers had some strong opinions on the matter. The overwhelming sentiment was that the students agreed that tobacco should be banned. What caused the tension was whether the University was overstepping its bounds. Many recognized the fact that the school should have considered the opinions of students, but even more were adamant that the harm of second-hand smoke and the University’s right to impose its will on property it owns outweighed Lamb’s grievances.
As the volume in the room began to rise, the following points were conveyed:
“Growing up in a house where parents smoked, I hated it… “
“The harm of second-hand smoke is too great. The health of the students and faculty should be the main concern. In the end, the policy is protecting the health of the University’s population…”
“The policy would not even be questioned if it was for a middle or high school. There should be no difference on a university level. All of them are state-funded institutions and should adhere to the same policies…”
“It’s bogus that they didn’t include student voice. I agree with the intentions of the policy, but the way the policy was passed did not represent those that would be affected…”
“If the student population wants the bill to be repealed, the administrators should absolutely consider it, because the students are essentially their customers…”
“If people want to smoke, they are going to smoke, regardless of the policy…”
My question now is what do you think? Read the article (linked below) and decide whether his argument is valid or not. What is more important? The intent of the policy, or the way in which the University administration phrased and implemented it?
http://dailycollegian.com/2011/04/14/students-should-fume-over-smoking-ban/
Open the Straw Poll link above and give your opinion!