No butts about it

Dalhousie has a had a smoke-free policy since 2003. (Bruce Bottomley Photo)

The past several years have seen great strides in smoke-free policies around the country, and Dalhousie has led the way. Our campus has been smoke-free since 2003.

Even so, many students, staff and faculty are still unfamiliar with the exact details of Dal’s smoking policy. The official rules state that smoking is prohibited anywhere on university property. City property, such as streets and boulevards, are exempt from these rules.

Ray Ilson, Director of the Environmental Health and Safety office on campus, says that although the policy may be confusing, smokers should always be far enough away from buildings that their smoke cannot waft inside. “It’s a public health issue. People don’t like walking through the smoke to get to their classes and offices.”

Dalhousie was among the first universities in Canada to draft a non smoking policy. It preceded the Smoke-Free Places Act of 2006, which officially prohibited smoking in workplaces and public places throughout Nova Scotia, including outdoor patios.

Not enforced

Dalhousie’s policy is not strictly enforced, however. Security officers do not give out fines, although they may approach smokers and ask them to move off university property.

When asked, several people at Dal, even smokers, indicated they don’t mind the policy.

“I don’t want people to feel uncomfortable,” says Dan, a second-year science student. “If there are lots of people around me, I won’t even smoke outside.”

“I think that people have a choice whether they want to smoke or not, and my choice is that I want to,” says Ellie Stone, an employee at the Second Cup at the Killam Library and a smoker. “But I have friends who don’t and I try not to smoke around them.” She also points out that secondhand smoke can be harmful to people with allergies, asthma, or who are pregnant.

Non-smoking students in particular like the idea of a ban. “I hate  (cigarette smoke). I don’t like walking through and smelling other people’s smoke,” says Chad Lombard, a second-year engineering student.

“As a university that’s very big on health professions, it’s good that we are advocates for a smoking ban,” adds a fourth year student who preferred to remain anonymous. “I know from working within my own faculty, we are always trying to go out and do outreach in the community, and we are trying to be leaders. It looks bad to have kids coming to campus when we are trying to promote healthy living and having people smoking everywhere.”

'More barriers'

“I think if we put more barriers around smoking, people will be less likely to smoke,” he adds.

Mr. Ilson admits not enough people are familiar with the precise details of the ban, and that communication around the issue could be improved. That said, he feels that overall the ban has been a success so far.  For example, the number of smoking-related fires at Dalhousie has decreased from 10 in 1999 to 0 this past year.

“Is there 100 per cent compliance? No,” says Mr. Ilson. “But the university places emphasis on education and encouraging non-smoking.” He adds that Environmental Health and Safety is working with experts in organizational wellness to further improve the health of Dalhousie students, staff and faculty. 

LINK: Environmental Health and Safety Office

DISCUSSION: Should there be greater enforcement of the no-smoking policy on campus?