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5
JUL

Designated Smoking Areas planned at Southeastern Louisiana University

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Designated smoking areas planned

Submitted by Rick


Using the theme “No Butts About It,” Southeastern is encouraging smokers to use specially designed smoking areas to be located near the library and major classroom buildings.


The newly designed smoking areas will be in the vicinity of Fayard Hall, D Vickers Hall, Garrett Hall and the Sims Memorial Library. Each smoking area will include benches, sufficient ash cans and attractive landscaping to provide students, faculty and staff with a comfortable, nearby location in which to smoke.


“Smokers tend to congregate around the main entrances to these buildings, which is uncomfortable for non-smokers and is creating a growing litter problem,” said Brad O’Hara, vice president for student affairs. “We are not trying to ostracize smokers or create a total smoke-free environment. Our intent is to provide attractive facilities for smokers that are adjacent to these buildings to help us maintain the appearance of the campus and to reduce health problems and physical reactions in those individuals susceptible to second-hand smoke.”


The new smoking areas – expected to be ready by Monday, August 18 – will be located on the east side and at both ends of Fayard Hall, at the back entrance to D Vickers and on the north side of Garrett Hall and the north side of the library. Signs will be posted in the buildings directing smokers to the new designated areas. O’Hara explained that additional smoking areas will be developed gradually for other classroom buildings on the campus.


Last year the Southeastern Faculty Senate adopted a resolution urging the administration to construct the designated smoking areas. The Southeastern Student Government Association also endorsed the recommendation. “The Student Government Association is in support of this recommendation,” said SGA President Ashley McKee. “We are extremely pleased that the interests of both smokers and non-smokers were taken into consideration."


The move is in keeping with guidelines of the American College Health Association, which notes that environmental tobacco smoke has been classified as a Class-A cancer-causing agent. ACHA recommends that smoking be prohibited within 20 feet of the entrance to any campus building.


Southeastern is also offering the services of the University Health Center for smokers who want to quit the habit. Initially smokers can contact the Health Center for information on available cessation programs and other approaches.


“Surveys indicate that more than 80 percent of current smokers would like to quit smoking,” said Patti Wascom, director of the University Health Center. “That number is even higher among college students, according to a University of Wisconsin poll. The problem is that most of these individuals are addicted. We have information and other resources designed to help smokers who want to quit.”


Wascom said the university intends to offer more intensive on-campus cessation programs in the near future. For more information, call the Health Center at 985-549-2241.

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4
JUL

Smokers File Petition to Demand Right to Puff

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Smokers File Petition to Demand Right to Puff


Seoul, July 4 (Yonhap) -- A group of South Korean smokers said Friday they have filed a petition with a state human rights panel to demand the government guarantee their right to smoke.


In the petition lodged with the National Human Rights Commission on June 30, the Korea Smokers Association (KSA) claimed owners of buildings are limiting their "smoking rights" by not setting up smoking areas.

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3
JUL

Big Isle nixes Smoking Ban

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Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii News


The Hawaii County Council votes 5-4
to exempt bars from anti-smoking bill


HILO - The Hawaii County Council has retreated from passing a smoking ban that includes bars, which would have made it the toughest anti-smoking law in the state.



Two weeks ago the Council gave preliminary passage to a ban that included bars in a 7-2 vote.



But after testimony yesterday by several bar owners that their businesses would be severely damaged, the Council voted 5-4 to exempt bars.



The vote would have been final, but Council rules required an additional two-week waiting period before a final vote because various amendments made yesterday were considered "substantive."



Earlier in the day, Mayor Harry Kim addressed the Council and expressed reservations about the bill for other reasons, but he noted that he could accept a ban on smoking in bars.



"I detest smoking," Kim told the Council. "I will not oppose any kind of ordinance regarding bars."



Clifford Chang, of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii, cited Delaware as an example where bar revenues increased after a smoking ban.



But Kona cocktail lounge owner Sam Kekaula said he worries about losing business since up to 90 percent of his customers are smokers.



Councilman Aaron Chung, of Hilo, said he called a bar in New York where a smoking ban recently began, and a bar spokesman told him "it's destroying them."



Chung conducted a four-hour effort with a series of unsuccessful amendments to the no-smoking bill before he finally found wording to exempt bars that gained the five votes needed for approval.



Kim said he would not accept a provision that would ban smoking in private homes used as businesses, such as child day-care or adult health-care businesses.



In response, the Council changed the bill's wording to allow smoking in parts of such private homes, but only in areas not used by clients and when clients are not present.

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