Effects of Tobacco Use at LCC
In Their Own Words
LCC Students and Employees
Over the last several terms as being a student at LCC, it has become increasingly aware of the issue of tobacco use. Ever time I exit a building I have to walk through a cloud of smoke. I have tried to use different routes through the school and have not been able to find even one way to walk where I do not walk through a smoking area. It is not only the smoking areas, but the fact that people smoke where ever they want. They do not respect the no smoking signs that are hung. I have seen numerous people standing right in front of the signs smoking. Even taking it to the point of pointing out those signs. Studies have shown us for years the damage that is caused by second hand smoke. I feel as though my rights as an individual who chooses to no smoke are being violated. It is very frustrating to put my life in danger when I am trying to better myself with a higher education. I believe that this is an issue that cannot continue to be overlooked. Thank you for your time,
- LCC Student
I have been an employee at Lane for 29 years. And I use to smoke, but quit 27 years ago. In that time I have seen an increase in flagrant disregard for non-smokers by smokers. They smoke in front of most entrances well within the 20 feet (no smoke zone). Most of the time I see LCC staff disregarding these policies, setting a poor example for our students. When I enter or exit a building I have to walk through a cloud of smoke. I am very tired of all the littering done by smokers; they crush their cigarette on the ground. Our poor ground keepers have to pick up these dirty & wet butts. It so awful to see a beautiful campus look so filthy with butts littering our grounds. I seldom see smokers use the ash trays provided. When I leave campus it never fails I see someone from the LCC community staff or student, flicking a burning end of a cigarette butt out of their car on to the road way even during the summers when fire is such a danger to our forest. As a native Oregonian I can't stand to see littering of any kind, and have instilled this code of conduct in our children.
- LCC Employee
A major problem with the half-smoking campus is that the current system actually promotes violating campus rules. Our role as a community college is not only to educate people in academics, but also to foster respectful attitudes towards others. However, there is no consequence when someone smokes right next to a nonsmoking sign or in a nonsmoking area, and I have been treated very rudely by some smokers when I have politely pointed out to them, in case they weren't aware, that they were smoking in a designated nonsmoking area. We either need to prohibit smoking in all outside areas, or allow smoking in all outside areas. However, since no smoking in outside areas would eliminate second-hand smoke and the cost of campus maintenance having to clean ashtrays and pick up cigarette butts scattered everywhere, besides making expected behavior clear to students, staff, and visitors alike, it would seem to me that making LCC a nonsmoking campus would be the healthful and socially responsible course of action.
- LCC Employee
“To breathe, or not to breathe. It’s not a question. When a student has out of control asthma, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) or a host of other autoimmune diseases it can affect their participation, attendance, and overall success in school. Schools can affect changes to remove some obstacles and promote students’ health and education.”
- LCC Student
“One again we have the privilege to choose the right thing, are we stepping on personal freedom or protecting the future generations, or will we once again settle momentary profit and sell out our children’s future? Let’s stop this killer [tobacco] and end the profiteering that kills innocence.”
- LCC Student
“Creating a healthy and accessible environment is a priority for those of us who work in Disability Services, and for some of us, this includes eliminating smoke from that environment. Many people with and without disabilities experience the negative effects of cigarette smoke on campus, including severe respiratory trauma, migraines or other illnesses from even brief exposure to second-hand smoke, as well as continually being required to take long routes to avoid smokers on campus… College students are our future leaders. When Lane Community College can model health and wellness values, students incorporate that learning and are then in a position to advocate for healthy environments and policies in workplaces across the community. Creating a smoke-free environment could be an enormously positive, life-changing event for many.”
- Disability Resources
I fully understand the addiction of cigarette smoking, having been a smoker off and on for about 15 years. I quit 25 years ago, and I now absolutely detest having to walk through the noxious clouds of smoke that linger around the designated smoking areas. And I resent the disrespect that is shown by some smokers who refuse to abide by the smoking policy on campus. I would be in favor of a “no smoking on campus” policy, because I cannot think of a place for designated smoking that non-smokers don’t have to pass by.
- LCC Student
Yesterday, I walked through the smokers outside the first floor of the Center building (if you take the ramp and not the stairs, you have to) and a toddler in a stroller was ensconced in the midst of them - breathing in not only her mother's smoke but all the smoke of the smokers around her.
- Anonymous LCC Employee
I am writing in regards to my support of a tobacco free campus. First, I want to say that I grew up in a house of smokers and most of my family still smokes to this day. I do not, but I have watched the struggles of my family trying to quit, and the deterioration of their health over time. My mother has been diagnosed with COPD now due to smoking. Growing up in that environment and not being a smoker myself, I have now been diagnosed with asthma. This has affected my ability to exercise and breath easier due to their choice in habit. I have been very frustrated walking around on this campus and having to smell and walk behind someone who is smoking outside of the designated smoking areas. If I approach them and tell them they are not in the appropriate place, they get very defensive and uptight. I don't feel as though it is fair to have to smell and inhale someone else's smoke and not have a choice in the matter. I try to walk way around the smoking areas, but why should I have to do that anyway? There have been no studies that show that smoking is "good" for your health and I feel, as do other non-smokers on this campus, that I have a right to clean areas and access to campus spaces equally. I also think it makes our campus look dirty when you see all the cigarette butts on the ground. It is truly amazing how many there are when you really look. Our grounds crew has better things to do with their time. Thank you for considering moving to a smoke free campus.
- LCC Employee
