University Health Services (UHS) continues to offer free tobacco-cessation services and tobacco dependence services to all FIU students, faculty and staff who want to kick the habit or learn to manage their tobacco habit in preparation of the university going tobacco-free beginning Jan. 1, 2011. One-on-one consultations and group sessions are available at both Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC) and Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC). Call 305-348-2401, extension 5, for an appointment at MMC and 305-919-5620, extension 4, for an appointment at BBC.
With the new year, smoking and the use of tobacco products will be prohibited on all university-owned properties, including Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Biscayne Bay Campus, Engineering Campus, recreational facilities, residential facilities, and parking lots and garages. Tobacco use in vehicles that are on FIU-owned properties will also be prohibited.
“This regulation is truly a reflection of our commitment to environment and health,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Rosa Jones. “The smoke- and tobacco-free initiative will help us build a healthier university.”
Jones noted that enforcement of the regulation should come after a six- to eight-month period of giving support to students, faculty and staff that will incorporate smoking-cessation services and resources. An Implementation Committee led by Javier Marques, chief of staff in the Office of the President, will include student representation.
FIU is the second public university in the state to implement a tobacco-free initiative. University of Florida enacted such a policy earlier this year.
In approving the regulation, FIU joins a growing national trend. There are now at least 420 universities around the country with smoke-free campuses, including residential housing where it exists, according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation.
Nice I love this idea. A tabacco-free camups is awesome. I know many people are going to say that it is a freedom violation. It might be. And at the end who cares when the only good thing about tabacco use is…NOTHING!
I would recommend for those who smoke to do themselves a favor. Take a biology or biochemistry class as a leisure class, and you might get surprised how much having freedom, can actually kill you. Slowly!
NICE FIU…THAT IS HOW IT IS DONE!
I'm not a smoker, and I discourage smoking to everyone. However, banning the use of tobacco on campus is imposing on those who choose to smoke and pay tuition and it's rising costs. It's time for the University to take some better austerity measures rather than just continue to raise tuition and ask the State for more money.
The fascists on the board of trustees need to be ran out of the university.
I'm not a smoker, but I see this new rule as completely wrong, pointless and uncalled for. Smoking a tobacco is not a crime and people who chose to do so should be able to do it without persecution. I my view a much easier solution would simply have been to create special designated smoking areas on campus. That's it, that's my two cents.
Thank you! Another way to regulate people's lives. So employees and students who want to have a cigarette have to drive off campus? YOU GUYS ARE REDICULOUS! I'm not a smoker and believe in healthy living but trying to control people's lives and habits is just wrong and needs to stop. I'm ashamed to be a student at FIU and more ashamed to be affiliated with people who have this type of mentality.
Roberto, first of all, if you are going to post something in a University website, please make sure that you spell it correctly. Second, if you are ashamed of being a FIU student, nobody is forcing you to be here……so leave……….we do not need students like you here!
next they'll ban fast food, soft drinks and vending machines to help us stay healthy, oh wait, the university makes a ton of money from that.. nevermind!
@luis – And that is the beautiful, facist mentally. BOO! This policy comes from people who are suppose to be educated and understand freedom of expression. Now, I think they're just trying to produce robots. Where's your chip?
Great news. Smoking harms the health of others whether they like it or not. Someone shouldn't have to move from one spot to another just because someone chooses to partake in the act of smoking in a public area. This has nothing to do with freedoms, it has to do with our health because secondhand smoke is WORSE than smoking itself.
I dont understand how a law can be passed to ban a LEGAL substance. Isnt FIU all about diversity and culture and yet there taking away a right all have to do.
Banning smoking and using health and the environment as excuses is ridiculous and a lie Only the gullible would believe this is for health and the environment. Please… Driving cars affects health/the environment much more than tobacco. And we know cars take over FIU. I rather see better alternatives in the food court, more parking spaces and more incentive to recycle than baning tobacco. This absolutely makes no sense.
By the way, not a smoker.
I have recently quit smoking cigarettes after several years because I felt like it was affecting my health. However, that was MY decision. If people want to keep smoking cigarettes they should be able to. Some people have high anxiety and smoking cigarettes helps them relax, such as smoking one before an exam or a presentation. Banning cigarettes from campus isn't necessarily going to help the student body and employees be healthier, because if they want to smoke they will still smoke. I think this was a bad decision. If anything, have designated areas where people aren't allowed to smoke, such as right outside GC where the tables are since people eat there, or near classrooms. But driving and smoking, sidewalks, etc….seriously? If we are moving we are not bothering anyone with our cigarette
I too discourage the use of tobacco products, but I do not feel that it is my right to ban its use, especially when it is still legal. I can understand banning their use indoors for obvious reasons like the fact that it exposes one to the dangers of second hand smoke and that it can potentially be a fire hazard. However, banning its use everywhere through out campus is a bit harsh and unfair.
This is awesome. FIU IS DOING THE RIGHT THING. Everybody keeps saying that cars do more damage, that it is the right for anyone to smoke, that environment is not an issue. bla bla…We are supposed to get an education, and act as we are more educated than people who is not educated. Who in the world said that smoking is healthy? If we worry about our health and the health of someone else, then, we should be happy to know that restrictions are being applied to their smoking habit. If people want to smoke because they want to look good, or it is a relaxing thing. Then, they should better take a walk (helps more to relax than smoking) to walgreens or home depot, and light an entire tree and smoke it as they please, destroying their lungs…But we need to show to the community that things for society which we all know are wrong as smoking tabacco can be banned and acted upon on it.
GO FIU!!! THIS IS HOW IT IS!
I support this measure, not because I think it's right to restrict anyone's "freedom", but because smokers have a disregard for others. Why is that they feel it's acceptable to throw the buds of their cigarettes on the ground when they are done? This policy will, most importantly, help keep the University clean.
Not to mention that smokers don't realize that they SMELL after they smoke. You can stand outside all you want, but when you come back into the office, do you think it's right for us, your co-workers, to have to put up with the God awful smell of smoke that you drag all over the office as you make your way to your desk, kitchen, and to the bathroom?
Smoking certainly has nothing to recommend it. But I am concerned about the loss of productivity to the University as smokers try to work all day without smoking or have to leave the campus in order to smoke. I myself quit smoking many years ago, but I remember how uncomfortable you get when you have to go long periods without smoking. It seems punitive not to at least set up a couple of smoking areas on campus.
You are all missing the point…
Smoking doesn't just hurt YOU, it hurts OTHERS around YOU. Big difference. If smoking had no effect on the health of others and only affected the health of the smoker then I would be against this ban. However, this is not the case. Secondhand smoke is even worse than smoking a cigarette in itself. Therefore, I think it was a good decision to ban cigarettes on campus. How many times have I been waiting outside a class and or sitting under the Green Library when someone smoking a cigarette made me get up and leave because they have no regards for those around them and don't care if they blow smoke in someone else's face and harm their health.
[Edited for content] …why are you all so blind and just continue to skirt around the MAIN ISSUE!!! Smoking HURTS OTHERS.
…this new rule is very very very stupid…how about enforcing a new rule on scratching ones rear end…from now on whom ever wants to scratch their rear end due to medical purposes, annoying wedgies, or just an itch that needs to be addressed must quickly and promptly exit campus grounds and perform an itching exercise of ones rear end that would satisfy their need. Please itch systematically in order to satisfy the dependence of itching for the whole day, unless one can afford to leave campus grounds and itch accordingly to their schedule. Thank your for your cooperation and your FIU school spirit!!..Please start a trend and let surrounding societies know that us Panthers can itch in an orderly fashion. = )
Erm? This is retarded. I dont even smoke and I dont agree with this. Why not just make smoking zones around the campus instead?
I am not a smoker. Never have, and never will be. But this is UNFAIR. It was certainly thought up by inconsiderate non-smokers. Smokers can be considerate. My husband is a smoker and since the day we met I have seen him save his cigarette buds in his pocket after he is done smoking to reduce litter. He later throws them in a trash. Of course, this is something he learned on the beautiful liberal west coast. How punitive and predictive of such a close-minded south Floridian mindset. Have we learned nothing from the times of prohibition laws? This school just continues to be more and more of a joke. How about spending time on the parking situation?
Or how about establishing designating smoking zones? It takes a long time to get off campus. And now what? Smoker patrol who give out tickets for smoking? WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!! GOOD JOB FIU! way to mess it up again [edited for content]!
another attack on civil liberties ..
i thought universities were suppose to be a place of tolerance and open mindedness
as other institutions and societies move towards relaxing controlled substance laws ..
FIU is going backwards and adding yet another restriction
It looks more like another another opportunity for a government to spy and police on its citizen, in this case FIU on its students
wake up people !
I have read all of the above and been to meeting here on campus regarding this. I am a smoker and have been for many years, however it is unfair for people to sterotype anyone, including smokers. I try to be as consioderate as possible, I always try go somewhere where the smoke would not bother someone. I would love to see the statistics on how long you would have to be exposed to second-hand smoke and in what size space a person would suffer serious illness from being exposed to second hand smoke. I understand what the university is trying to do, however, there is basically NO EXPENSE in creating designated smoking areas – if signs are put up at these areas and a non-smoker choses to go there or go by there will they be cited? No. Unfortunately it is a no win situation. Smoking has been around forever, it will continue to be around, we seem to have a huge amount of strudents & staff who do smoke, so why could there not be a happy medium for all? I don't believe the effort was made and like someone up above stated, smoking is not illegal and I do believe that FIU is still considered a PUBLIC UNIVERSITY, not private, so what does that now mean ??? Are all of the construction workers, parents & friends who attend Commencement for their loved one and others from the "public" also going to be cited? I have been here since the 70's and I really do believe that the university, WITHOUT ANY GREAT EXPENSE, could have come to some type of areas for smokers, I mean no one is asking for an a/c building or area, just a disignated area. If you want to cite someone for smoking who is hanging around extrances to buildings or outside of the designated areas, fine. I don't notice that anyone seems to be concerned that we now have a full bar on campus, alcohol is allowed on campus, in the dorms, etc., but no one seems concerned about the fact that a drunk can kill someone a lot faster than someone smoking a cigarette. As far as a smoker smelling like smoke, of course, but have you ever talked or tried to talk to someone who is boozed up, their breath willl knock you over, so there is something with everything.
Great, tell all the architecture students at 4am they can't smoke to keep themselves awake. I'd rather smoke than consume red bull which they run around the school giving out. This is ridiculous, some of us are considerate of others, why don't we just make designated smoking area instead, like they have in airports…wait that would cost money and it's easier just to discriminate. Also, does nobody enjoy a good hookah anymore?
this if beyond ridiculous. smoking is bad (10% of people who smoke develop some form of health issues). eating meat is worse (we are not prohibiting that on campus though even though 80% of people who eat regularly red meat develop some form of health issue). this is once again, US playing its dictatorship card. alcohol cannot be drank this in country if you are not 21 but it is a legal drug (and a highly lethal one too). oh wait, our FIU campus sells alcohol too! do you know that people who do NOT smoke die too? what is this? US did this to cannabis, did this to alcohol, now it is smoking? no wonder then you have so many people in this country who are conservative to the core, narrow minded, uneducated, and who often take their guns and kill people causing mass murders. we allow guns of course, but smoking is bad! oh please! get a grip on yourselves. US is becoming more and more the place that breeds ignorance and narrow mindness. slowly people will start moving out and not in. if one does not live in NYC, Boston, or CA, one needs to consider Western Europe as a better alternative that these people. yack to the law of prohibiting smoking on campus and yack to all people who cannot look beyond their nose and consider this as a good thing! you are causing your own demise slowly but surely. Dictatorial policies are not any different and they are similarly followed by the most stupid people. i wonder why americans are so scared of communism. this is exactly what communist countries did! shame on you!
guess what: the junk food (almost the only stuff u get on campus) affects your health too. Moreover, GC smells day and night, the sandwich/pizza cheese stench in the air is disgusting for people who appreciate a healthy diet. And most probably not only for them. when will the board ban the junk food? why do they allow crmininals like Burger King and Pepsi on campus, but want to ban people from smoking OUTSIDE, when they are ALONE, somewhere on this huge campus?
I quit smoking many years ago, but this crusade is scares me
I am finished with my four years at FIU. I am a smoker. Sometimes I was on campus for over 10 hours grinding projects in the computer labs and being able to step out for a cig was the only thing that kept me sane. In fact, I think 90% of my classes all smoked cigs including a lot of the professors. Being at the campus studying for an exam and not being able to smoke a cig will make someone care more about getting nicotine rather than concentrating on the actual test. This is very unfair. They could easily put designated smoking areas where not a lot of people go near.
I don't even consider this a freedom violation, etc. It's torture. People are going to be on campus for hours on end and suffer the effects of nicotine withdraw with include:
* Cravings to smoke
* Irritable, cranky
* Insomnia
* Fatigue
* Inability to Concentrate
* Headache
* Cough
* Sore throat
* Constipation, gas, stomach pain
* Dry mouth
* Sore tongue and/or gums
* Postnasal drip
* Tightness in the chest
This will cause people to purposely miss classes and spend less time on campus, as well as, not do as well on tests/exams. I don't think enough brain power was involved in this decision and I KNOW it will cause more harm than good.
Re: Ridiculous
If you are going to bring politics into this, at least have a clue about what you are talking about. Blaming those who are "conservative to the core" for issues such as this is asinine. One of the first federal laws regarding regulation of drugs was the Harrison Narcotics Act. This was brought forth by Rep. Francis Harrison, a member of the democratic party (you know, the one that is conservative to the core 😉 ). While you attempt to educate yourself, check out the Shafer Commission, where republican Raymond Shafer was one of the first that recommended decriminalization to Congress.
I despise both political parties, but I hate when people twist history to make it conform to their unfounded beliefs. Maybe I take exception to this because I'm more of a conservative person. BUT, I'm for decriminalization, and I think gays should be allowed to do whatever they please (marriage, military, etc.).
Also, what's the point of mentioning guns? Only the "conservatives to the core" use them? What do you call James Lee (the man who took hostages at the Discovery Channel). More people than you know responsibly own guns. Crime rates are trending downward, but gun owernship is at an all-time high. Please explain that.
On the issue of smoking at school (and even drinking under the age of 21), I actually agree with you. If this upsets you, just wait. Do you think government healthcare is going to come with less regulations? The government is going to regulate more and more. That's the fault of both parties…..
I strongly support FIU in their decision to stop smoking on campus – thank you.
And yet…
It seems to me that some students are lacking some serious critical thinking skills. Smoking is something you do BY CHOICE. No one is forced to smoke and everyone is well aware of the health consequences of smoking. The problem isn't smokers smoking and hurting only themselves but rather smokers smoking and hurting those around them. Research has proven again and again that secondhand smoke is just as bad if not worse than smoking in itself. I'm not going to cite any sources for my claims because I believe that all of you are more than capable of using Google.
Another simple example, eating Burger King every day on campus is your choice, the fact is, it only hurts you. Smoking every day on campus is your choice, but in addition to hurting yourself you hurt those around you who DO NOT have a choice when it comes to breathing in your polluted cigarette smoke.
Please. How could anyone be against a smoking ban on campus? Public smoking bans have made restaurants much cleaner and healthier in addition to numerous other public places where smoking is banned.
I really think that a designated smoking area is the way to go. This is going to put way too much pressure on students and professor who smoke. I have a professor right now that if he doesn't get a smoke break during class he is down right obnoxious. I think if you are going to come down on smoking then like other people have said on here you have to come down just as hard on all the crap food on campus. I mean FIU just opened Chili's, Papa Johns and Dunkin Donuts. What message are we trying to send lung cancer is bad, diabetes is better. As to people saying that the smoke bothers other people and puts other people's health at risk is true but; I do not smoke and in my 3 years at FIU I have rarely seen people smoke, so it has never bothered me. And one more thing aren't we paying a whole lot of money to come to this school for a hand full of people to tell us what we should and shouldn't be doing. Universities use to be a place where students had freedom of expression, it seems like more and more that freedom is being taken away. This is just the prototype of what is to come if we the people don't stop it.
What's the problem with smoking in your own car on campus? What are they going to do to enforce this? Give you a fine? I don't smoke, but I hate people forcing their ideologies on people who do smoke. [edited for content]
wow. okay. so, FIU opens up a chili's bar inside which OBVIOUSLY serves alcohol, they promote tailgate festivities and football games, and then they BAN SMOKING? i'm not a smoker and it bothers me that FIU is actually trying to implement this. I started off loving FIU, but as the years went by, i saw how horrible it really was. most employees don't know what they are doing. they worry about remodeling the school, yet they are still in budget cuts and class shortages. (i know remodeling and adding buildings will eventually lead to more classrooms, but we don't have the funds to pay those teachers anyways!) so now, those people who are in charge of making those "tough" decisions for the school spend what little money the university has left on implementing a "tobacco-free" campus? they say you can't even smoke in your cars!!! is that even legal? (no honestly, is it?) and those students that stay up studying or stressing, smoking outside, keeping to themselves.. or those who live on campus.. what are they going to do? drive to the nearest park in the middle of the night to study just so they can smoke? this is really rediculous. as much as I think people should quit smoking, there are many other harmfull things that FIU allows you do to that are much worse: examples are redbull and liquor.. almost just as bad. this is everyones personal decision. if they want to quit, they quit. but i do not think that FIU should MAKE people quit. its really stupid. i want to see how they implement this on a tailgate
FIU is banning smoking for health concerns. If FIU was so concerned about our health why would they put a Dunkin Doughnut store in or have Pepsi machines in every building. Yes as smokers we realize it is bad for our health. At this point we are addicted, and cigarettes serve as calming agent. For teachers and students who smoke the stress level will rise alongside with concentration decreasing. Now for all of those who are worried about second hand smoke, we are outside. Oh, yeah stop driving your car, just think about the amount of carcinogens in that. But to ease both side's make designated smoking area's near all buildings. Ban in the breeze ways, or at the tables outside the food courts. But a school wide ban on tobacco will unfortunately damage many people's learning environment. Also it gives us yet another reason to not like or possibly want to come to FIU.
He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither. – Benjamin Franklin
In my opinion, the people who are trying to impose their morality and the reasons why people should not smoke are rediculous. Just because to you nothing good comes from smoking, does not mean it is not beneficial in the short term for anyone else who decides to use it. I am a smoker, and would think it a great idea to have a smoking area, as many other people have proposed. I for one will most likely continue to smoke on campus anyway, and pay whatever price I have to do it. Its just another way for FIU to collect a tax and make some money. Ill gladly pay it for the right to do what I please.
man let em try to fine me for smoking a cigarette…i'll bolt the [heck–edited for content] out of there, while smoking it 🙂
lol comment below…but seriously the whole thing is about taking care of your health…just check out this google book, it is nice and not bias things for those who smoke…or think about getting into the habit=addiction
http://books.google.com/books?id=pa0tucljwo4C&…
As usual, leave it to FIU to post regulations that make it difficult for you to pass classes and graduate. The whole smoking ban is a joke. as it has been previously pointed out, if FIU cared about our health, they would invest the money on cleaner tables and bathrooms (GC, anyone?). Smokers pay tuition like everyone else does, and now we have to get out of campus to smoke? I don't think so!
Let them try and tell me I can't smoke outside, they'll be hearing from my lawyer
Having a campus that is tobacco free isnt going to promote anything but headaches for faculty and students. I am not a heavy smoker but I do smoke a cigarette before exams and during studying to reduce anxiety and relax. I will say I am a very considerate smoker. I stay away from busy areas and food areas so that I don't "harm" others. The school, that I've seen, has no designated smoking areas nor does it have butt cans anywhere for us smokers so yes u will see cigarette butts on the floor which I agree look bad but then again we can't throw them into garbage cans or put them away in our pockets. Work with us FIU and we will work with you..
great idea…
it's can decrease number of deaths caused by cigarette…
please take my survey to let me know how you feel on smoking being banned at FIU
http://apps.facebook.com/surveymaster/takequiz.ph…
worried about our health?? how about you get rid of BK, Chillis, DD, Papa Johns and the bs food machines…ohhhhh and gamestop only ensures students don't completely focus on their studies. here's an idea FIU: be an education institution instead of (corrupt) moral police.
When it comes to some of you who cry about human rights and love to compare fatty meals and cigarettes well you all have a choice. You either bring your own lunch to school or buy a healthy meal instead of junk food. I'm personally happy that FIU made it a smoke-free campus because I was tired of having to inhale smoke. I love studying outside and I used to hate it when the janitors used to take their smoke breaks and drive me nuts. Smoking is a bad habit and to those who cry that it takes away stress etc… Well I think it's time to think of having a new habit. If you need to smoke that bad, how about getting into your car, taking a drive out of campus. You'll just make it easier for myself to find a parking space 🙂