THE GEM

Wee Vere Uy of prince €dward is 1 an q September2s, 1986

Reply To Nonsmokers’

Criticism

, By David Gallant

I believe that Mr. Linkletter and Mr. McLusky have mis- understood the intent of my recent article on the proposed smoking ban at UPEI. I do not consider the present policy on smoking at UPEI to be un- just; on the contrary, I strongly support it. However, I strongly protest the draconian absolute smoking ban recently pro- posed by the UPEI Faculty Association.

Their proposal, if passed, will entirely ban smoking at UPEI. Tobacco smoking will not be allowed in any place on campus, including residences and private offices. This will effectively ban smokers from smoking on the campus, whether they be students, em- ployees, or visitors.

The Faculty Association has made this proposal in a high- handed manner, without any consultation with the general student body. This runs against the very spirit of democracy. When American television journalists ask citizens of the Soviet Union or China what they think of their government they invariably praise their re- spective governments and high officials. If they did not, they know they would be perse- cuted. With regard to this pro- posed smoking ban policy, the situation is similar, only more subtle. Most students would not dare to voice an opinion against this proposal by the so- called Faculty Association, for fear of being blacklisted by professors. I believe this kind of practice is completely con- trary to the spirit of the demo- cratic principle.

Just because the majority of people at UPEI are non- smokers, it does not give them

_ the right to prevent all stub- born smokers from being stu- dents at UPEI. Suppose the majority of the population

decided that they wanted and passed a law that

f the population

slaves; that majority would be in violation of basic human rights. A majority does not have the right to oppress the minority solely by sheer numbers. It should be obvious to UPEI students that certain important matters, such as basic human rights, cannot be decided upon the basis of majority. The problem at issue should be resolved through our justice system. We should still keep in mind that tobacco smoking is still legal in Canada.

It is possible that the Faculty Association may hurt the un- iversity by proposing this sort of action. If what they pro- pose is passed, many future students who prefer to smoke may go elsewhere, causing enrollment to decline. This would cut the university’s income and might even force the layoff of some professors. The university should do everything possible to encour- age students to enroll and not drive them away. :

A further extension of the university’s present policy of setting up no-smoking areas would be more reasonable and far less drastic than an abso- lute ban on tobacco smoking on campus. Instead, the Faculty Association is pro- posing to take away a legiti- mate right from all smokers, including those who respect the rights of nonsmokers. If such a regulation is not en- forced, it will be a farce. If, however, the university strictly enforces such a regulation, hew. many more security

to hire? Will security guards search dormitory rooms in the future? Without a respect for basic human rights and a regard for principle, -our society will eventually degenerate into a society without morality.

guards will the university have |

I wish to add that I am a nonsmoker, but I still find the absolute smoking ban pro- posed by the Faculty Associa-

_ tion to be morally offensive.

the democratic |

UPEI Faculty Association

Proposal For A Smoking Policy

Given that:

a.

Se

sidestream smoke contains over 3500 known toxic chemicals, some of which are in con- centrations up to 50 times as high as that in the mainstream smoke inhaled by smokers; and that

those toxic substances are absorbed by non-smokers; and that

non-smokers exposed to these compounds suffer adverse health effects ranging from eye nose and throat irritation and headaches to respiratory distress, reduced respiratory function, angina increased risk of lung cancer and a general reduction in life expectancy; and that

in order to remove these compounds from the indoor environment requires up to 100 air changes per hour; and that 3

the majority of people on the University campus are non-smokers; and that

it is appropriate for the Faculty Association to be concerned about the health and welfare of its members as well that of all other members of the University community; and that

it is appropriate for the University to take a leadership role in matters of social importance;

the Faculty Association adopts the following policy on smoking and recommends it to the University Administration for implementation in order to protect the health and welfare of all members of the University community.

This policy is as follows:

7

the onus is on smokers to have smoking areas identified instead of on non-smokers to identify smoke free areas;

2. all areas of University buildings that are not identified as smoking areas are to be smoke free;

3. the occupants and users of each building shall be permitted to formulate a policy (i.e. where smoking is to be permitted) for the building;

4. ifa policy for a given building can not be devised that is satisfactory to all, the University Safety Committee (or other appropriate body) shall be given the responsibility of resolving the issue in a manner which protects the health of all involved;

5. _ the policy for each building must be reviewed every two years;

6. smoking shall be prohibited in all general use areas such as cafeterias, the library, all meeting rooms, public reception areas, the physical education building ’and the hockey rink, with the exception of designated areas from which air is vented directly to the outdoors and not

= into the general air circulation of the buildings; and

7. the University commit itself to the elimination of all smoking in University Buildings by 1990.

STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBERS 1986-87 President Rob Kelley Business Reps Ben Compton VP Academic Paul Ledwell Darryl McCarvill VP Operations Karen Bishop Science Reps Julia Hammon Treasurer Doug Clow Carla Dumaresq ~ Arts Reps Kim Blanchard Senate Reps Sheila Lund Heather Hickey Paula MacKinnon Chris Maddocks | MAPUS Senate Rep Jill Manderson Paula McGuirk Board Rep Parker Grimmer

Student Union Office 566-0530

MAPUS Council Rep _ Vivian Huizenga

I would like to see the University...

a) b)

ce)

support the entire policy

reject the entire policy

support only sections and

reject only sections

Other Comment:

Sirtas