Proposed smoking ban sparks debate at FVCC

Would mandating that Flathead Valley Community College go tobacco-free help students quit or discourage them from seeking more education?

College trustees debated the point but reached no conclusion Monday. The board did vote to pass the first reading of a policy expanding smoking limitations to all forms of tobacco.

Trustee Tom Harding abstained from voting on the issue.

During public comments, several faculty and staff members voiced their support for making the campus tobacco free. The current policy limits tobacco use to designated enclosures and smoking areas on campus.

Jim Soular, a writing instructor, advocated following the example of the University of Montana by going tobacco free by the fall 2011. He also wanted to amend the tobacco policy to include e-cigarettes (electronic devices) that emit no smoke.

Soular said e-cigarettes give off secondhand toxic substances. He also complained that many smokers violate campus policies by congregating around ashtrays at building entrances.

“Designated areas do very little to protect the rest of us,” Soular said. “The locations were poorly chosen.”

He advocated educating smokers about available cessation programs and patches available to help them kick the habit. Soular said that a college, as an educational institution, should ban tobacco.

“We should be leading the way on healthy lifestyles,” he said.

Campus librarian Michael Ober said he considered anything short of a complete ban on tobacco “wrong-headed and lacking in courage.”

George Shryock, a counselor, and Dan Voermans, a transfer advisor, added their support for a ban.

During the trustee discussion, Mark Holston said their comments were very compelling and called going tobacco-free “a no-brainer.” He said waiting until fall 2011 gives smokers time to transition out of their habits.

Trustee Ralene Sliter said she considered 2011 too soon but was interested in exploring the University of Montana’s policy.

Harding objected to the ban, indicating it places a hardship on people with life experiences different than “academic firebrands.”

He said he had no problem with banning tobacco in any form inside buildings. Harding raised the question of how the college would enforce the ban with people addicted to nicotine.

He asked if the college planned to offer cessation programs.

“If you want to have a long-term smoke-free, tobacco-free campus, you’d better have all your ducks in a row,” Harding said.

Board chairman John Engebretson added his concern about setting a date for a smoke-free campus. 

“We have so many nontraditional students,” he said. “Are we going to drive them away if they can’t smoke on this campus?”

Trustee John Phelps agreed that the college had a tremendous influx of people with settled and ingrained habits of tobacco use.

Board members asked college officials whether the smokers were the non-traditional (older, displaced workers) or younger traditional students. College President Jane Karas said the college had no data about the demographics of smokers.

Karas said the policy placed on the agenda originated from complaints from students about others using chewing tobacco in classes. She said that the college could add revisions for consideration in the second reading of the policy on the agenda for the April 26 meeting.

In other business Monday, the board voted to place the executive/legal administrative assistant associates degree in moratorium pending updates to make courses more relevant to the new employment market.

Trustees also voted to amend the college budget with an additional $950,000 in revenue generated by 350 full-time-equivalent students above the estimate for fiscal year 2010.

The college plans to spend the money on additional instructors, equipment, classroom and lab renovations, facility improvements and debt reduction.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.