Southeast smoking survey could influence policy

With many colleges in Missouri implementing -- or considering -- smoke- or tobacco-free policies, Southeast Missouri State University is conducting a survey on whether it should follow suit.

However, students interviewed by the Southeast Missourian on Thursday don't think the school's policy should be revised.

Kathy Mangels, vice president for finance and administration at the university, said in an email to the Southeast Missourian that officials have discussed policy enforcement challenges, which resulted in the formation of the Tobacco in the Workplace Committee. The panel will review current policy enforcement issues, possible penalties and whether Southeast should move toward a smoke-free policy.

The survey continues until Wednesday. Results will be reviewed by the tobacco committee to make a recommendation to the Administrative Council no later than April 1, Mangels said.

The Administrative Council advises the president and shares information about "the operations and activities of the various administrative divisions of the university," the university website said.

Derek William takes a drag from his cigarette outside Southeast Missouri State University's University Center Thursday afternoon. (Laura Simon)

Policy changes require approval from the board of regents, university news bureau director Ann Hayes said in an email to the Southeast Missourian. "It depends on if any changes are made and what the nature of those changes might be as to whether the issue would then be forwarded to the Board of Regents," Hayes wrote.

She said the issue would not go before the Cape Girardeau City Council.

If the policy is changed, Hayes wrote, there is no date yet on when it would take effect.

The 13-question survey asks whether the current policy should remain in place; whether a total smoking ban should be instituted; or whether smoking should be banned indoors and out, with exceptions only during designated large-scale events and performances, during which outdoor designated areas may be used.

The current policy allows smoking in designated outdoor smoking areas throughout campus, assistant director of human resources Alissa Vandeven said. It prohibits the smoking of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, pipes, cigars, hookahs and water pipes both indoors and outdoors except in designated areas, according to the survey.

Students who are repeat offenders could be reported to the Office of Student Conduct, and faculty and staff violations can be reported to Human Resources for further action, Vandeven said.

Darious Whitney, a Southeast freshman from Cape Girardeau, said he has smoked for two or three years and said he thinks the designated smoking areas should remain in place. If smokers were forced to go off-campus, it would be a "hassle" to figure out where to light up, and enforcement would be an issue because the campus is so large.

"There are too many people on this campus to tell them they can't smoke," Whitney said.

Nonsmokers such as freshman Sonali Singapuri of Nashville, Tenn., junior Michael Wittich of St. Charles, Mo., and Danielle Brown of St. Louis agree.

"They have designated spots. As long as people stay in those spots, I don't really mind it," Singapuri said.

A ban would have its advantages, Mangels said.

"Aesthetically there would no longer be any used cigarettes in plain view. A smoking ban also helps promote a healthier campus environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors," Mangels said.

Response rate to the survey has been "very good," Vandeven said. But officials don't know which way people are leaning.

"At this time, the committee is researching policies and procedures at other institutions and gathering input from campus constituents. Additionally, committee members are currently meeting with various student and employee constituent groups to obtain additional feedback. All data and feedback will be reviewed by the committee during the month of March," Vandeven said.

A 2013 Missouri College Health Behavioral Survey, conducted by Partners in Prevention, was sent to a random sample of 3,500 Southeast students, of which 47 percent responded they believed Southeast should have smoke-free outdoor areas. Campus opinions will be further evaluated by the committee after the upcoming survey results are compiled, Vandeven said.

The same survey showed about 23 percent of those who answered smoke cigarettes, and 47 percent of those indicated they smoke daily. Partners in Prevention, based at the University of Missouri in Columbia, is a higher education substance abuse consortium "dedicated to creating healthy and safe college campuses," its website said. The coalition includes 21 public and private colleges and universities across the state, the site said.

Joan Masters, senior coordinator of Partners in Prevention, said her consortium receives some funding from the Missouri Department of Health's Division of Behavioral Health to provide support as campuses make the transition to tobacco-free and/or smoke-free.

Masters said she believes things are at a "tipping point" in Missouri where more campuses are moving toward becoming tobacco-free and/or smoke-free and provide services to those who want to quit. Campuses often phase in the change.

If a university has the resources, Masters said, it's recommended it provides tobacco cessation counseling through employee assistance programs or have a health-care provider to provide support.

Schools of comparable size to Southeast that have gone smoke-free and/or tobacco-free are Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University, University of Missouri, Washington University, University of Missouri in St. Louis, University of Central Missouri and Drury University, Masters said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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