Keene State College allows students, faculty and staff to smoke cigarettes on campus as of now, but recent conversations and meetings may change that.
Currently, the KSC tobacco policy does not prohibit the use of tobacco products on campus, but outlines some restrictions. There are some designated smoke-free areas, and smoking is prohibited 25 feet from most buildings on-campus, which discourages students, faculty and staff from smoking; however, there are some spots on campus that seem to encourage it.
There are some benches on campus that provide a place to sit and smoke, and a place to dispose of their cigarette “butts.” According to the website No-smoke.org, there are now at least 1,543 smoke-free campuses in the U.S.
University of Massachusetts Amherst is among one of the campuses that prohibits all forms of tobacco use.
Senior Joshua Estrada said he thinks smoking on the KSC campus is fine.
“As long as it isn’t inside or bothering anyone, people should feel free to smoke outside before class or walking to class if they want to,” he said. Estrada continued, “Cigarettes are not illegal so there’s no reason for them to be banned on campus.”
Estrada also said he thinks smoking cigarettes could be stress relieving for students, faculty and staff who wish to do so.
“By letting people get their cigarette craving out they may actually work better in class,” he added.
Junior Paige Priske said she disagrees with Estrada. “Smoking is a bad habit and shouldn’t be allowed on campus,” she said.
Priske continued, “If I’m sitting on a bench before class the last thing I want is secondhand smoke coming in my face.” She also commented on how banning smoking on the KSC campus could help those who are addicted.
“Banning smoking on campus could be beneficial for people with the bad habit,” she said. “If students and faculty aren’t allowed to smoke on campus it could decrease their cigarette intake and be beneficial for their health.”
KSC student Sean Morrisey had similar ideas as Priske. “Secondhand smoke is gross and I don’t like the smell of it,” he said. “By putting a ban on campus it would make [KSC] a healthier — more eco-friendly place.”
Morrisey also noted that cigarettes litter the KSC campus.
“Many people don’t dispose of their cigarette butts where they are supposed to,” he said. Sean continued, “They toss them on the grass and walkways and it’s not a good look for the campus.”
Members of the KSC community, smokers and non-smokers, said they have different views on the situation, but for now KSC remains a smoker-friendly campus.
Jess Byrne can be contacted at jbyrne@kscequinox.com
