Problem solution proposal memo

Smoking Proposal

The purpose of this memo is to discuss the serious smoking issues that are occurring on our campus. Although smoking is already banned in all buildings, this policy is rarely enforced. And, smoking in close proximity of buildings is exposing students and faculty to secondhand smoke. These activities pose significant health concerns and must be dealt with immediately.

Recent research has discovered that secondhand smoking is much worse than previously thought. In June 2006, U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona issued a comprehensive scientific report which concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30% and lung cancer by 20 to 30%. The report also found that secondhand smoke exposure can cause sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory problems, ear infections and asthma attacks in nonsmoking adults.

Smoking on campus is not an insignificant problem. Although it is not known how many smokers are actually on campus, the 18- to 24-year-old age group has the highest prevalence of smoking of any age group. In 2005, more than 10% of 18- to 24-year-olds smoked. Given this data, it is reasonable to assume that there are large numbers of smokers on campus.

It is simply unfair to expose nonsmokers to health risks caused by smokers.

Administration must ensure that its ban on smoking in buildings is actually enforced. Further, the administration should issue a new policy to ban smoking within 25 feet of buildings. To show smokers that the administration is serious about its nonsmoking policies, it should require all faculty and dorm staff to report any instance of smoking in or near buildings. And, students should be notified of where they can go to report smoking policy violations.

The student who does not comply with smoking policies should be allowed only one warning before mandatory expulsion. Because of this significant penalty, the student should be asked to sign an agreement before the beginning of each school year that they are aware of the university's smoking policies and will abide by them as a condition of attending school. This measure should help protect the university against possible law suits and will give the student adequate information to determine if this is an environment that is conducive to the student's desired lifestyle.

To improve the health of our university community, the administration should also encourage health services to educate smokers about the harm smoking causes to both smokers and nonsmokers. The administration should also encourage health services to develop and promote programs to help smokers quit smoking.