By Madison McCammon Staff Writer
At the beginning of fall term, 2015, Western will become a tobacco-free campus — like many other universities in Oregon.
On Tuesday, May 26, President Mark Weiss sent out an e-mail to all students regarding the tobacco policy change.
Weiss said that “[the] use of tobacco on campus-owned property” will be banned at the beginning of next year. This includes any and all tobacco products including e-cigarettes and vaporizers.
First-year theatre major AJ Saddler is a part of the Heritage Hall Government, a division of the Residence Hall Association. On behalf of Heritage Hall residents, Saddler and his co-workers were asked to vote on the issue based on what they thought was best for the campus.
“I was in favor, personally, of doing smoke-free, and that’s what I voted for. The vote that passed was tobacco-free and I realized that tobacco-free was the best option for this campus,” Saddler said.
Even some current smokers like Brandt Van Soolen, a junior philosophy major, saw some benefit to the policy.
“In a way [the policy change] is kind of a problem, because I smoke. And in another way, I don’t disagree with it,” Van Soolen said. “Not only did they address the problem, but they saw other problems that would come about from it and took care of that too.”
This policy has been under debate for more than five years. As the last public four-year university in Oregon to allow smoking on campus, some faculty felt that the change was overdue.
“[The policy] has been on the table of discussion for about five years, but faculty and student turnover—such as graduation — has impeded the process,” said Craig Wimmer, health education coordinator.
Some concerns raised regarding the policy change are the consequences for noncompliance and what smokers/tobacco users can expect next year.
“What future consequences occur for those not in compliance will be determined as appropriate,” Weiss said.
Weiss emphasized that even in his absence, the policy “will be implemented the WOU way —that is, with respect and consideration of those that need help complying…We will make sure to have on-campus resources in place to help our students and staff.”
“As a former smoker, I know quitting or regulating tobacco use is both stressful and can feel like an infringement on liberties we all share in America… I have seen up close and personal the effects of tobacco use,” Weiss said.
According to the Western Website Policies and Procedures page, the tobacco-free policy will become effective on September 16, 2015 and will be up for review in September 2020.
While smoking or the use of any tobacco products will not be allowed on campus, those who choose to will still be allowed to go off-campus in order to use their tobacco products.
President Weiss requests that those who do choose this option will be respectful of the residents of Monmouth.
“[Western] needs to be good neighbors to our bordering residents,” Weiss said.
