As both our nation and state become more smoke free, it seems likely that public universities will follow the trend. According to Student Governance Council (SGC) President, Chase Boruch, a survey will be posted this month for all two-year universities in Wisconsin regarding a possible ban in the future.

“This isn’t any one person’s idea, it’s just an effort to see where we all stand,” Boruch stated. Although he agrees with a statewide ban on smoking, Boruch said the process of instituting the ban could take a long time. “I fully support a smoking ban on every campus, but I don’t see it taking place quickly.” Boruch said that he has received two times as many emails from smokers than non smokers.

Photo by Hans Haggie

This February, both student and faculty senates approved a smoking ban referendum at UW-Platteville. A March 2008 survey conducted by the university showed 69 percent in favor of the ban. The survey totaled 2,130 votes, and is similar to the email vote that will be sent to UWMC students and faculty this spring.

This February, both student and faculty senates approved a smoking ban referendum at UW-Platteville. A March 2008 survey conducted by the university showed 69 percent in favor of the ban. The survey totaled 2,130 votes, and is similar to the email vote that will be sent to UWMC students and faculty this spring.

“Smokers are not the majority,” Boruch said. “There is a reason the state and cities are moving in a non smoking direction.” In Governor Doyle’s State of the State address, he made it clear that his goal is to ban smoking in all public facilities.

UWMC students may not know that this process is in at least early fruition, but some say there will be a fight to protect their rights. “I feel that they are taking away our rights to protect us from ourselves,” said “Limo”, a 22-year-old junior at the UWMC. “There is a whole different society in that box right there” (he pointed towards the “smoking shack” outside the south entry of the school). “Non-traditional students will be upset, traditional students will be upset, and I’m sure some faculty members will be upset too,” he said. During the interview in December, Limo stated, “We are going to paddle the SGC’s ass if the ban happens.” He went on to say that he planned on quitting smoking over break.

A smoking ban certainly won’t change much here on campus. Thanks to the shrinking budget, a cigarette cop won’t likely be patrolling the sidewalks any more than they are already are, and students and faculty that smoke will always find their niche. “The message is more important than the enforcement,” Boruch said.