[media-credit name=”Andrea Aliseda/Staff” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Back in 2007 you could not turn a corner at Southwestern College without inhaling the toxic fumes of nicotine and tobacco. Now, in its attempt to join the community college band-wagon, Southwestern is trying to go smoke free. Instead of being a victim of second-hand smoke at every turn, it is now only every other turn.
There are some not-so-strategically-placed signs around campus that read “This is a Smoke-Free Facility” or “No Smoking Beyond This Point.” Nearly every window and glass door has a sticker that reads “No Smoking within 20 feet of Any Operable Window and Door.” But that is not stopping smokers from giving in to their addiction and polluting our learning environment.
Walking onto the campus, from Parking Lot J, between the library and the gym, to the cafeteria patio, you can light up and walk directly into a “Smoke-Free Zone” and never know it. There is a sign in that area, but only seen as you exit the cafeteria, walking to the bookstore, that is if the sign is not covered by plants. Dark windows have a “No Smoking” sign, but if it is a bright and sunny day or if you have poor vision, it goes unnoticed.
Turing the corner to walk between the cafeteria and the Student Center, the cement is littered with cigarette butts and huddled masses of students catching a drag. These smokers have no excuse. A “Smoke-Free Facility” sign stands feet away from them, but no one stops them. They smoke freely, without disciplinary consequences. On the other side of the Student Center, more groups, each claiming their own cement bench, toss their cigarette ash and butts in the grass. Again, there is a sign directly in front of the Cesar Chavez Building, but it is obstructed by a planter.
Not to say that the smokers are completely innocent. There are visible stickers, if smokers cared or pay attention. Head to the Academic Center and catch a few smokers hustling to their next class, puffing along their way.
SWC has four designated smoking areas. One outside the 390 building on the south side campus, one at the bus station on the east side of campus, one past Lot N and right before Lot J on the north side of campus, and one in Lot H on the west side of campus. Only three of the four are clearly marked and found.
At the bus station there is a green, vandalized sign that once said “Please use ashtrays” and two ashtrays are provided. Another designated smoking area between Lots N and J has a clearly-placed sign, two ashtrays, one bench and one trashcan are provided, but the area remains empty. The last found designated smoking area, in Lot H, a facility parking lot, provides one bench and one trashcan, but no ashtrays.
SWC is trying to become smoke-free by placing signs at common gathering and eating areas, and by providing areas for smokers to rejoice, however the signs are meaningless if they are not enforced. It may not be a campus police issue, but SWC faculty, ASO and even students who respect their campus should step in and kindly direct these smokers to their designated areas. Making SWC smoke-free would be beneficial to the health of all students.