Biology professor pushes for smoking ban across campus

The aroma of cigarette smoke is unmistakable. When exiting the lecture halls in the basement of Michener Library, some students have said the airflow of cigarette smoke dumps right on top of them.

A biology professor has decided to try to put an end to it by implementing a campus-wide ban. Samuel Zwenger, a graduate student who teaches a lecture class, claims the smoke coming into Michener has disrupted his class and has been an unwelcome distraction.

"We all know what second-hand smoke does to people, and these students are stuck because they have to walk through it," Zwenger said. "If you talk to any student on campus, they'll tell you that at any point this semester they have smelt cigarette smoke that comes inside the buildings."

Zwenger said he has already received substantial support from students he has talked to. "It's a minority of smokers who ruin it for the majority," he said. "We're overdue for a no-smoking policy."

The air intake comes from vents located in various parts of the building. The vents bring in outside air and either cools it or heats it, depending on the season. Because the vents pull in so much air, any odor in the vicinity will be pulled in with it.

"For instance, in Lindou Auditorium (in the basement of Michener), the vents are located on the northwest plaza," said Diana Algiene-Henry, the library business manager. "Underneath those ‘mushroom' stools, the air is pulled in from under them. If anyone smokes near those, it will pull in the smoke."

Zwenger said he will introduce a campus smoking ban to Student Senate sometime soon. "What we really want to promote is education, so if someone in the building sees someone smoke too close, it's better if individuals just say ‘hey, could you please go to the designated area?' If you do it the educational way, it seems to help a lot."

Glen Adams, the UNC health and safety specialist, said the university "meets and exceeds" the Colorado smoking laws, but they aren't always enforced.

The state law is smoking must be kept 15 feet from any entryway, but University of Northern Colorado requires 25 feet. UNC has designated smoking areas around campus.

To view these locations, visit www.unco.edu/date/tobacco_regulations.html.