“Smoke Free” Campus Divides Students

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s recent drive for inclusivity is receiving a bit of backlash, leaving some UWM students feeling excluded. 

According to the recently applied “Tobacco and Smoke-Free on Campus” policy listed on the university’s website, all smoke and tobacco related items and devices are banned from use on campus.  

The new policy is an addition to UWM’s no-smoking policy, which was approved by Chancellor Mark Mone, in June of 2018. The new regulation passed in October of 2018, includes the banning of vaping and e-cigarettes. 

According to UWM Director of Media Relations Keri Duce, UWM hopes to create a safer and healthier environment for the students and university employees. 

“UWM is committed to maintaining a safe campus environment and to ensuring that it acts to the extent possible to shield its students and employees from harm by mitigating the established health risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Duce.

In an interviewwith the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Duce expressed the importance of inclusion within the new policy.

“We wanted to make sure everyone was included. Wording is important from a public health standpoint,” said Duce.

However, the health of university students and employees are not be the only safety concerns UWM officials have. 

Kickstarting the new policy, UWM has launched a “Don’t Let Your Butt Cause a Fire” campaign, which highlights several smoking related fires from 2015-2018.  

According to the university, there has been six fires leading to 150 cancelled classes and more than 2,500 students being displaced. The University calculates the cost of damage to be $16,457. 

Despite the university’s best attempts to create a safer UWM, not all members of the campus community are buying in. 

UWM Junior, Nicolas Martinez, a non-smoker, does not buy the idea that the tobacco and smoke-free policy is fair, especially for students who smoke. 

“I do not support the smoke free policy, said Martinez. I believe that it’s almost like a violation of freedom of speech. I do strongly believe that there should be smoke designated areas for smokers, but by cutting off smokers who pay tuition just as I do. They should be able to satisfy their smoking appetite.”

Though the university has sent numerous emails and posted signs through-out the campus, Martinez thinks the university could have done a better job notifying the student body. 

“I was unaware until I was told by a professor. Even if they have sent out multiple emails notifying students, I know I don’t read through emails if they aren’t from one of my professors or fellow classmates. WASTE OF TIME,” Martinez said. 

However, Omar Lamnari, a smoker and political science major, believes the university’s new policy has been implemented correctly.

“It has been effective with this new policy because they have displayed signs all throughout the campus,” said Lamnari. 

Duce stresses the importance of education over punishment when it comes to the new policy. 

“There will be an emphasis on education, particularly as the policy is rolled out across our campus community, said Duce. However, repeat offenders found using tobacco products on campus will be more likely cited for policy violation or face other disciplinary processes through their employer or the dean’s office.”

UWM Chief of police Joseph LeMire, says his office has yet to hand out any citations. Instead university police have set their focus on educating campus smokers.

“We have not handed out any citations at this time, said Lemire. There have been a few educational pamphlets handed out and a few warnings, but we are in the early stages of the rollout and not tracking the ‘educational’ interactions.”

The university has enlisted the help of not only University police, but the entire student body in regard to the regulation of the new policy.

On the tobacco and smoke-free website, the university offers students suggested tips when confronting an on-campus smoker. 

To perhaps avoid on-campus police interactions, the university has created the “Politely Ask. Respectfully Teach,” method that some students may wish to use instead.

• Introduce yourself and your role on campus.
• Explain why you are approaching them, e.g., “I noticed you were vaping…”
• Politely ask, “Did you know UWM is a smoke and tobacco-free campus?”
• Respectfully teach individuals that they can use tobacco products off-campus. “Smoking/vaping is permitted on sidewalks across the street from campus property.”
• Listen to the person’s reaction and respond with empathy. Avoid argumentation.
• Offer a resource card if you have one or invite them to learn more at uwm.edu/smokefree.
• Thank them for their time.

Despite the university’s best attempt to combat on-campus smoking, Lamnari admits the new policy is facing an uphill battle.

“I still smoke on campus despite the new policy. It really doesn’t affect anything, those who smoke will do it and those stay away from it will do so,” said Lamnari.

As long as the on-campus smokers continue to maintain a respectable distance, Martinez has no problem with smokers like Lamnari. 

“I see people smoking their e-cigs, Juuls and etc. all the time. As long as they are not blowing it in my face, it does not bother me,” said Martinez.