University of Texas–Arlington Plans Smoking Ban

At this point, it shouldn't surprise anyone when a university institutes a smoking ban. The University of Michigan recently laid out its plan to make its Ann Arbor, Mich., campus smoke free by 2011.

Add the University of Texas–Arlington to the list.

The Arlington branch campus of the University of Texas has banned all tobacco products on its campus effective Aug. 1, 2011, the Daily Texan reports. Administrators say that they wanted to give students time to prepare for the ban and that they will offer help to those who want to stop smoking.

"The use of tobacco is a serious issue that affects the health and well-being of our entire campus community," UT–Arlington President James Spaniolo writes in a message to the university community. "During the past two decades, we have experienced a sea change in attitudes, culture, policies, and laws related to tobacco use, both in the United States and around the world.

"Many of us remember a time when smoking was commonplace in offices, malls, airplanes, public buildings, sports arenas, and even hospitals. But times have changed, and it is time for UT–Arlington to take the next step forward in protecting the health of our campus community."

UT–Arlington's student newspaper, the Shorthorn, solicited comments from smokers at the school. The reaction was not positive.

"When I get a break in class, I go outside to smoke," one smoker tells the Shorthorn. "I will see other smokers from my class, and we start to bond. I will miss the break and the opportunity to reflect."

Nonetheless, the smokers seem to agree that students will conform to school's policy whether they like it or not.

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