by Katy Knapp
Daily Lobo
Within the next few years, UNM could be completely smoke-free.
The Coalition for a UNM Smoke-Free Campus is petitioning to ban smoking everywhere on campus, including outside.
Juan Larra§aga, an organizer of the coalition, said the idea is to make UNM a better place to be.
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"We're promoting a smoke-free initiative on all campuses - branch campuses, main campus, north campus and the hospital - to improve the health of staff, faculty, students and patients," he said.
UNM's smoking policy, created in 1997, allows smoking everywhere except in University buildings.
Larra§aga said the coalition wants to amend the policy to ban smoking in all areas of campus. Smokers would be asked to go to the nearest major street like Central Ave. or University Blvd., Larra§aga said.
"That's essentially a two block walking distance," he said.
Not all members of the coalition are for the complete ban on smoking, Larra§aga said, but that is what he is pushing.
"Other members want to see how far we can get with that, but if there needs to be a compromise, then we will look at defining what a reasonable distance is for smoking," he said.
Under the policy now, smokers must stand within a "reasonable distance" from buildings when smoking, although that distance is not defined.
"Another compromise might be to have designated areas," he said.
Kristin Woodruff, director of Expose, a student group aiming to educate their peers on the effects of tobacco and tobacco companies, is a member of the coalition.
She said not having a definition of "reasonable distance" is a problem.
"The majority of them smoke right by the entrance ways," she said. "And we are forced to inhale these harmful carcinogens when we are going in and out of the buildings."
Student Erin Saulsberry said she used be a smoker. Asking people to leave campus to smoke is a form of discrimination, she said.
"It's not fair to force these people off campus," she said. "I understand the health concerns, but it's outside."
Sabra Basler, president of Staff Council, said Larra§aga presented the proposal to the council last year.
Staff Council put the proposal on a ballot, which will be voted on during their elections that start April 21. All UNM staff can vote.
If the proposal passes, the coalition will then have to bring the proposal to Faculty Senate and the Associated Students of UNM. After that, the final decision would be up to the Board of Regents.
Getting the ban passed is not impossible, but it will be a long process, Woodruff said.
"It's not going to be an overnight thing," she said.
Expose is in the process of getting petitions for the smoking ban. So far the group has received more than 200 signatures, Woodruff said.
Basler said banning smoking across campus is controversial, but a good idea.
"I think it's important when we have the health care costs we do," she said. "We're here educating young men and women, and that education can be to lead by example."
Student Kenneth Kirtley, who was smoking a cigarette outside of Mitchell Hall on Wednesday, said he disagreed with banning smoking in outdoor areas.
"Outside is one of the few places we can go and smoke and get our aggressions out," he said.
Student Lindsy Foust said she wouldn't mind if smoking was banned on campus completely.
"Especially when I'm walking to class and I get caught behind someone smoking and I have to follow them all the way there," she said. "I don't like that. If they could ban that, it would make my day better."
