ASCSU Survey on smoking

1. 10/25/10 – 11/12/10 ASCSU Survey on smoking

2. Purpose: To determine if smoking on campus is an issue and how to address student concerns. Distributed to a random sample of 2000 undergraduates and 500 graduate students 597 respondents started the survey, 563 completed the survey Number of questions: 7-8 (depending on answer to Q1) About the survey

3. Q1: Do you smoke regularly on campus? 597 respondents

4. Q2: How do you dispose of cigarettes? • Question type: check all that apply • Only asked of people who answered yes to Q1 • 40 respondents • 75 responses

5. Q2: How do you dispose of cigarettes

6. Q3: Are you aware of smoking ordinances on campus? 563 respondents

7. Q4: to what extent do you feel the smoking ordinances on campus are followed? 563 respondents

8. Q5:Do you feel that second hand smoke affects your daily campus experience? 563 respondents Allowed for comments

9. Major concerns (voiced in comments): • Congested areas, especially in front of Eddy and the library/plaza • Smoke triggers asthma in many students • Getting stuck walking behind someone who is smoking • People don’t obey the rules and stay far enough from doors/windows/air intakes Q5:Do you feel that second hand smoke affects your daily campus experience?

10. Q6: Do you feel that smoking on campus creates an unhealthy model for behavior? 563 respondents

11. Q7:Do you feel that campus would be a better environment if smoking on campus was not permitted in all dismount zones on campus? (mainly the plaza) 563 respondents Allowed for comments

12. Major reasoning for a YES answer: • Crowded areas/high concentration of people • Everyone has the right to not be affected by smoke • It creates a healthy/clean environment • Smoke is dangerous to people who have asthma • Smoke exposure is inconvenient, uncomfortable, and annoying and extremely difficult to avoid • Cigarette butts litter these areas and make campus less attractive • Smoking affects everyone around smokers as well Q7:Do you feel that campus would be a better environment if smoking on campus was not permitted in all dismount zones on campus? (mainly the plaza)

13. Major reasoning for a NO answer: • There are already ordinances in place restricting smoking • The health effects of second hand smoke on the plaza are negligible • The majority of people aren’t smoking/ it isn’t really a problem • “I smoke” • Shouldn’t restrict people’s freedoms/shouldn’t over-regulate • Impossible to enforce • It would be singling out a group of students • It is a large outdoor area and the smoke dissipates Q7:Do you feel that campus would be a better environment if smoking on campus was not permitted in all dismount zones on campus? (mainly the plaza)

14. Q8:Do you feel that smoking on campus could be changed to improve the campus environment? 563 respondents Allowed for comments

15. Common Respondent Suggestions: • Actually enforcing smoking ordinances/enforcing ordinances more strictly • Making designated smoking areas away from heavy public traffic • Educate students about smoking ordinances (including non-smokers) • Not allowing smoking on campus at all • Not allowing smoking in dismount zones/on the plaza • Set up covered, well-lit smoking areas so that smokers still have a comfortable place to smoke away from crowds even in winter Q8:Do you feel that smoking on campus could be changed to improve the campus environment?

16. Any questions…?