PA state schools' smoking ban goes up in flames

Students may have noticed a considerable easing on the smoking ban imposed upon Edinboro University, since the previous year. This ban was imposed on all of the Pennsylvania State System schools as of September 2008

A year later, smokers freely gather outside buildings such as Butterfield to enjoy a drag before class. Students such as English major, Bryce Phillips, expressed relief over the lifting of the ban.

"I understand not everyone smokes and not everyone should be subjected to the toxins of that, but really, it's how you split the line to keep people healthy and balance their right and how you balance the rights of the smoker."

The smoking ban isn't totally void, however. In this past June, it was "eased." Students and faculty alike can now smoke their Marlboros and Newports together on university property, as long as they manage to stay 15 feet away from the buildings.

"The removal of the restriction that was placed on the university last year was due to a union grievance. The university has gone back to the original restrictions that were in place for a number of years prior to the change, which includes no smoking in the buildings and within 15 feet of any entrance to the building," said Tom Nelson, chief of university police.

"We intend to stay with that regulation until the system clears the grievance issue through negotiations with the unions and a new regulation is promulgated."

That union is the APSCUF, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties.

Many other places, such as restaurants and bars across the state, do not allow smoking on their premises.

Other states, such as New York, are under similar restrictions and other campuses, such as Purdue University and the University of North Carolina, both public schools, but UNC (and all its branch campuses) have autonomy from the state system.

Schools across the commonwealth had to abide by the government's decisions, including Millersville, Clarion, Slippery Rock and Edinboro.

Students and faculty were equally up in arms about the ruling, which came about suddenly last fall.

"You know, it's infringement upon rights really," Phillips said.

Phillips, though, like other students, found ways to beat the now-defunct ban.

"If I wanted to smoke, I went off campus or into my car. I found it rather ridiculous that they could give you a fine for smoking in your vehicle," he said.

Pennsylvania was the first to ban smoking on all its affiliated college campuses

It was one of Chancellor John C. Cavanaugh first acts. He took the office in July of 2008, leading the PASSHE system.