Karina Gonzalez
The Pierce College Work Environment Committee (WEC) has propsed to reduce the current 12 smoking zones to nine.
Since the passage of legislation which prohibits smoking within 25 feet of doorways and windows, the committee has regulated smoking areas on campus.
WEC sent out a survey asking staff what they think about the reduction and whether it is a good move to the college, said Larry Andre, WEC chair.
Although WEC’s job is the health and well-being of the employees of the campus, they are trying to not exclude student’s opinions, said Pamela Brown, former WEC chair.
“The staff are here for years. Students are not,” she said. “If smoking bothers employees then we’re going to ban it,” she added.
In a previous survey, a third of employees said they wanted to keep smoking on campus, another third said it should be banned and the remaining third said the zones should not be changed if the existing zones are not enforced.
Brown said that the zones aren’t enforced because there are no signs listing the code and it’s violations.
She said if there were signs at the zones, smokers who don’t obey the law would get a ticket.
However, the committee is planning to put ashtrays and comfortable seating in the zones to attract smokers to the designated areas.
“I’m in favor of finding a way to better accommodate both smokers and non-smokers,” said, reformed smoker and Pierce President Robert Garber.
He said he has seen the proposal but it has not been formally brought to him.
“If given the opportunity and choice I whole heartily would support a smoke-free environment,” said Garber.
LACCD Board of Trustee member Nancy Pearlman said, “I would like us to be the first district in the nation to be smoke-free.”
Pearlman said she remembers when smoking was allowed practically everywhere.
“Everyone is realizing that this is something that should be done in the privacy of one’s own home,” she said.
Although she hopes the district will soon be smoke-free, she knows it has to be agreed upon as a work place issue.
Several problems she finds with the existing zones are that some people don’t obey the law, people don’t put their butts in their designated places, and people still breathe in the smoke if you pass by them.
“I know it’s a challenge but it’s one we have to take on,” she said.
Blaine Willis, 27, a pre-med major, said, “I’m two feet from the zone and I refuse to stand in it.”
“What are they going to do? Hire smoke hall managers,” said Willis.
He said people don’t obey the law because they are lazy and they don’t like to feel restricted.
Several students interviewed refused to be quoted, but said that the change would not affect them.