ATLANTA — Beginning Wednesday, the 31 public college and universities that make up the University System of Georgia will prohibit tobacco products from its campuses.
UGA students held a “smoke-in” at the student center to voice their opposition to the ban.
“Even if I don’t choose to smoke, my classmate who does shouldn’t be put under a blanket ban,” said UGA student John Henry Thompson.
Banned products include all cigarettes and cigars, as well as all forms of smokeless tobacco.
Devices that simulate the use of tobacco, such as electronic cigarettes, are among the prohibited products.
Some students argued the ban is a violation of their rights.
“Ultimately we’re all Americans and we all have the right to choose our destiny. The Board of Regents is acting in its own ivory tower to dictate something for the university campuses, which the university students did not vote for and university administrators did not vote for,” said student Alphone Reinhardt.
The ban will not only apply to students and faculty but also contractors and visitors. All property owned, leased or rented by USG is included in the new policy. Any event hosted by a USG entity will also be tobacco-free.
Certain areas of the UGA campus already ban indoor and outdoor smoking. Smoking is currently prohibited within 35 feet of any building at UGA. Students at the smoke-in say the current policy is enough.
Eighteen-year-old Reinhardt said he has been smoking for two years, and has no intention of stopping.
“It allows me to have a break in my day and will negatively affect my own health and well being if this ban is put in place,” said Reinhardt.
The new tobacco policy also forbids any advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco products on USG properties.
USG said the policy reinforces its commitment to provide a safe and amicable workplace for everyone on its campuses.
Some students said changing student health behaviors should not be a priority for the Board of Regents.
“What this is about is behavior modification. The Board of Regents had admitted this is a vice they don’t approve of. Meanwhile, other vices they do approve of, they probably won’t ban,” said Thompson.
The policy was adopted by the Board of Regents in March. It will go into effect statewide starting Wednesday.
WSBTV
