Clarion University students gather in support of outdoor smoking ban
A group of Clarion University students held a rally Thursday to gather support for the campus’ outdoor smoking ban and to distribute information about the hazards of smoking and how to quit.
Dominic Giallombardo, a senior political science major, said they had collected 310 signatures in support of the new policy about an hour and a half into the event.
Students wore red T-shirts that said “U-Can Breathe with Ease.”
The group was planning to hold the rally until 6 p.m. that day outside Gemmell Student Complex.
Giallombardo said they were hoping to gather at least 1,500 signatures to forward to Clarion University Pres. Joseph Grunenwald, the chancellor of the State System of Higher Education, and officials in Harrisburg.
The state’s new Clean Indoor Air Act bans smoking in most indoor spaces, including educational facilities, and took effect Sept. 11.
The state system’s chancellor has decided to go a step further and prohibit outdoor smoking on the campuses, including Clarion, Edinboro, Slippery Rock, Indiana, and others.
A protest was held Monday on the Clarion campus where about 60 students gathered to voice their opinions in opposition of the ban.
Similar protests have been held on at least two other state system university campuses.
Some students in Clarion have asked whether a compromise can be negotiated.
Giallombardo said an attempt was made last year to limit the areas where individuals can smoke outdoors.
“But it was ignored” by the smokers, he said.
He said there are “far more people in favor of the ban.”
“A lot of people who smoke don’t want to smoke on campus,” said Giallombardo. “It creates a better learning environment.”
Clarion public safety officers said there haven’t been problems with the ban on campus.
“None of my friends smoke,” said student Alyssa Tress, 20, as she signed the pro-ban document Thursday.
University system administrators say the policy doesn’t allow exceptions for unionized employees.
A Pennsylvania state employee union says it’s fighting the outdoor smoking ban at the campuses of 14 state-owned universities and wants the system’s administration to negotiate changes to the policy.
The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees says it filed a demand to bargain with the State System of Higher Education.
The union represents about 2,500 maintenance, dining hall, skilled labor and clerical workers.
Pennsylvania is the 25th state to enact the clean indoor air act.
Regional tobacco control experts held a forum in Clarion about the law.
Tobacco control coordinator Shannon Eckels said studies have shown that smoke-free establishments do as well as or even better than businesses that allow smoking.
Restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and other businesses around the country are reporting increased receipts and profits since going smoke-free, she said.
“We’re excited many workers in Pennsylvania will be protected,” Eckels said.
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Tags: Smoking ban