Bemidji States most recent controversial issue among students

 The latest on the tobacco ban.

By Morgan Krause

Tobacco poster on campus
By Morgan Krause

  Bemidji State University recently passed a policy banning all tobacco on campus. Currently BSU is taking steps to ease into the ban. The idea was first proposed in the school year of 2009-2010 by a student led organization. Student senate sent out a survey to all students on campus and of the 409 who participated only ten percent was for keeping the rules as they are. President Richard Hanson first got the proposal on April 1, 2011, and by fall semester of 2011, BSU will be 100% tobacco free.

 Student Sen. Paige Timm, fully supports the idea. “It works well for other schools so why won’t it work for us?” she said. Currently, Winona State Univ. and Southwest State Univ. are tobacco free as well and there’s a big push by students and staff at St. Cloud State to do the same. The ban seems to be catching on, but will it catch on with current students?

The BSU student handbook on the tobacco ban currently states that tobacco products can be carried around but just not used. The only place tobacco can be used freely on campus is in students cars in the parking lots. “Personally I think it’s just a loophole for the students and staff smokers,” said Brown. 

Because of the tobacco ban there has been some concern about the amount of cigarette butts around campus. Both Brown and Timm think its nothing to worry about and that their probably wont be anymore litter then there is now. “It all comes down to the level of respect people have” said Brown. Both are confident in the student body to do their part and not contribute to litter on campus.

Enforcing the ban has been something of concern for some students. “Hopefully students will take responsibility and call people out if they catch them with tobacco.” said Timm “I know I will”. Small fees are going to be put in place for those caught but that wont stop fellow student Shane Duehn. Although Duehn is for the ban because of the funding he said “I think it’s stupid and it won’t stop me but whatever, we get funding.

Cigaret butts on school grounds
By Morgan Krause 

“The tobacco ban won’t work at first but since were doing it in stages I think I will catch on.” said Timm. “Not everyone is going to be on board at first.” Most people seem to be confident in the new rules aside from student smoker Grant Orinstien “I think it’s a good idea but I don’t think it will be effective.” said Orinstien“ “We pay so much money to go to school here so we should be able to smoke if we want.

“No matter what they’re not going to be able to stop everyone.”  said Duehn. Although there is a lack of confidence among some of the students many others are confident. “I think it’s a step in the right direction.” said Brown. “Were moving forward and helping with pollution and making a safer, healthier campus!”