As most of you know, as of October 1, 2014, most campuses in the state of Georgia are outlawing the use of tobacco (both chewing and smoking) on campus. Students and faculty on VSU’s campus have different opinions on this new rule. While some are saddened by the news and the thought of the distance they will soon have to walk to take smoke breaks, others are happy that they won’t have to deal with inhaling second-hand smoke while on their way to class.
The whole aim for the policy is to “improve the health, comfort and environment of employees and any persons occupying (campus) facilities.” Universities in the state of Georgia are not the first to come up with the idea of tobacco free campuses. Over 1,000 campuses in the United State have already made this hard decision.
In particular, VSU has come up with many ways to help those students who are smokers. Of course, as humans we have the free will to choose, but VSU is helping out by providing classes to help students and faculty who want to quit. The Georgia Quit Line is a company that provides free counseling, a resource library, and support and referral services for tobacco users ages 13 and older. Smoker or nonsmoker, this is news on campus that affects us all!