Nima Maghame
With nearby Calabasas passing one of the nation’s harshest anti-smoking bills in years is there a possibility Pierce College will join them? If they do, soon many will take advantage of helpful nicotine shots to work towards weening themselves off of smoking for good. Surely, it will prove to be a controversial topic.
This issue has sparked a debate amongst many groups at Pierce, and while some have strong opinions, a majority of people are finding it difficult to pick a side.
While everyone understands the danger of smoking and second-hand smoke, many also believe in the freedom to smoke.
One must consider that any action taken will not just effect students but faculty and staff as well.
“It’s a different rights issue,” said Robert Garber, Pierce College president.
The Associated Student Organization passed out petitions for banning smoking to solely designed smoking areas a few months ago.
The petitions showed the student body was split half and half on the issue according to Brian Yoo, chair person for public welfare of the ASO.
This poll was done out of curiosity and so far no serious action has been taken to increase restriction of smoking on the Pierce campus.
Pierce student Margo Arnold, who help spearhead Calabasas’ anti-smoking legislation, is against banning cigarettes from the campus and said, “I haven’t seen a huge problem…it seems like it’s under control.”
Compromise seems to be the most reasonable answer.
Designated smoking areas that are more conveniently placed with some inviting improvements is a plan most feel is the way to go.
“Designated smoking areas would be the first step,” said Garber.
Pierce has established smoking spots around campus but no one truly abides by them and usually smoke whereever they want with little public confrontation. The ASO had passed out maps of the college with its cigarettes zones marked but they so saw no change.
The Los Angeles Community College District board of trustees is the only group with power to enforce a new smoking policy and Garber said if it came as a directive he would support it.
The college president remembers cleaning cigarette butts outside his office everyday in San Diego. He also remembers being a smoking addict himself, finishing two packs of unfiltered Lucky Strikes a day.
“What I really liked to do is help people quit smoking altogether,” said Garber.