Ole Miss looks closer at smoking on campus

       In 2009 the University of Mississippi adopted a policy which limited the use of 

tobacco products to designated areas on campus. However, is the policy being enforced 

and are smokers abiding by these rules?

According to the policy, some of these undesignated spots should be outlawed 

because the new policy has set up smoking areas mainly in parking lots located across 

the university campus, which can be identified by cigarette butt receptacles. 

Not only is the university trying to cut down tobacco use on campus, but it is also 

hoping to educate users on the effects and potential of quitting. The establishment of 

the ACT Now Tobacco Quit Program has provided many with helpful information about 

the effects of tobacco on their body and others around them. However, tobacco usage 

on campus is still prevalent according to many faculty, students, and enforcement 

officers.

“I still see people smoking on campus all the time,” sophomore non-smoker 

James Bruchman said. “Even though I personally don’t have a problem with it, I know 

some people do. Normally though, smokers are in spots that are known smoking areas, 

designated or not.”

Students still feel the need to get their nicotine fix wherever they please. Although some can get away with it, others 

are not so lucky. A fine of up to $25.00 may be assessed for faculty, staff, or students who are found violating the policy.

The policy also distinctly outlines what is considered a violation of the policy. Examples include any littering of tobacco-related products, tampering or damaging receptacles, the use of tobacco in a university-owned vehicle, and the use of tobacco products at athletic events in any area other then those designated for use. The tobacco policy also prohibits the use of tobacco products in fraternity and sorority houses, including porches. However, Neal Wilkerson, president of the Sigma Pi fraternity at Ole Miss, said he believes that this won’t effect the current lifestyles at fraternity houses.

“No one smokes on the front porch,” Wilkerson said. “On the back porch maybe a couple times a week, very little. Usually though, it is only on the weekends and when we have guests over. I just don’t think that UPD has the amount of officers to be checking in every fraternity house to see if anyone is smoking, even if no one is.”

Associate university attorney Donna Gurley also agrees that enforcing the policy is tough, but is manageable.

“It is hard, it is difficult for us to catch everyone,” she said. “I know a lot of times people get stopped and the police are going to give them a ticket, but they say I don’t know where the designated area is or I was in the designated area and I’m about to put it out. That is part of the reason that I think many people are starting to think we should go tobacco free.”

In Wilkerson’s experience so far, after the passing of the policy, he says that people seem to be abiding by the rules for the most part.

“For the most part people have seemed to follow the rules,” he said. “Of course you’ve got a few folks here and there who don’t care, because honestly I’ve never seen a cop get onto somebody for smoking in a spot that their not supposed to smoke. When you see people smoke on campus they are usually all congregated in one area doing it.”

So could it be that people have accepted the rule for what it is and gone with it? Or perhaps some feel that they can get away with it simply because of the lack of disciplinary action by law enforcement?

Soon, however, this may not be an issue. Recently rumor has spread that the university is strongly considering adopting a smoke free policy, which would outlaw tobacco use completely on campus.

“I could see Ole Miss moving in this direction,” junior non-smoker Stephen Horlock said. “Honestly though, I think it would annoy a lot of people. If it passes it passes, and I guess it’ll just be one of those things no one can really do anything about.”