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A revision of the tobacco ban is being proposed that is meant to keep non-smokers from being offended, but there is some confusion over just what the ban entails.
Campus police Chief Tyler Moore said he proposed a tobacco free policy, even though there had been no complaints from students.
Student government President Jennifer Hughes, when asked about the proposal, said the student government decided to survey the school and look into a smoking ban.
“Last year we had multiple complaints,” Hughes said. “About smoking in general and at doorways.”
Despite who takes credit or blame for this proposal, it has upset a small but vocal minority. Jeff Simons, 23 attended the student government meeting where the proposal was discussed and let himself be heard.
“I don’t want the campus looking like a gulag with a paint line 20 feet from the doors,” Simons said. “I’m a non-smoker, but I have friends who smoke, and I don’t think they should be herded into groups and told they can’t do something that’s legal.”
Although a structure for smokers of some sort was called for in the first draft of the proposal, that is now a long-term project for the school. Any possible structure probably wouldn’t be built for up to three years.
One other significant change was submitted by James Martin, Eastfield’s landscape supervisor.
“You should shift from having ‘smoking only’ areas to having ‘tobacco free’ areas,” Martin said.
“It will be easier to enforce.” Martin is also looking at what places provide for the best air flow and ventilation around the campus for the non- “tobacco free” areas.
Proposed tobacco free areas include the upper courtyard, all exits and entrances, one of the outside balconies above the library and any of the narrow corridors which are between most of the buildings.
The chief proposed the following to deal with people who break the policy. First time offenders will be talked to by an officer. The second time they break the rule, they will be given a citation. The third time they do it, they will be written up.
Some students think that any such proposal is flat-out wrong.
“I’ve never been bothered by smokers,” Simons said, “and I’m kind of alarmed that I didn’t even know about this proposal until I read about it in the Et Cetera.”
Jennifer Lisi, 19, nursing student, who didn’t attend the meeting was equaly adamant.
“I’m really mad about this. I’ve never blown my smoke in anyone’s face and I don’t smoke at entry ways,” Lisi said. “I pay to come to this college and I pay for my cigarettes. If I’m not getting in anyone’s face with my smoke I should be left alone.”
The smoking proposal must be accepted by the administration. | 
