Resolution 73

A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REFORM AND STRENGTHEN SMOKING POLICIES AND LAWS WHICH WILL LEAD TO A HEALTHIER NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

Short Title: Smoking Policy Reformation Act

Sponsors: Senators Teder (Corresponding) and Pavia

Signatories: Senator Emeritus Do

Referred to: University Affairs Committee

Version: Adopted Version

First Reading: February 15^th, 2012                            Second Reading: March 28^th, 2012

WHEREAS, According to the CDC, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States accounting for 443 thousand deaths or one of every five deaths in the U.S each year; and,

WHEREAS, Smoking costs the U.S. about $96 billion each year in direct medical costs and another $97 billion from productivity losses due to premature death; and,

WHEREAS, Second hand smoke contains toxic, cancer-causing chemicals, causing heart disease and lung cancer in non-smoking adults; and,

WHEREAS, Various campuses have become one hundred percent smoke-free including North Carolina State University peer institutions Iowa State University, University of California-Davis, and University of Florida; and,

WHEREAS, Other universities or university systems that are one hundred percent smoke-free includes Oklahoma State University, University of Oregon, Indiana University, University of New Mexico, and all Arkansas, California, and Iowa university systems; and,

WHEREAS, In the 88^th session of the North Carolina State University Student Senate, legislation was proposed to remove current smoking regulations, which was voted down; and,

WHEREAS, In January 2010, the North Carolina government banned smoking in restaurants and bars showing support of anti-smoking environments; and, EREHHH

WHEREAS, These decisions present a growing attitude towards promoting a healthier and cleaner campus environment by creating a stronger smoking policy; and,

WHEREAS, It is currently illegal for UNC system universities to fully regulate outdoor smoking and can only regulate it up to a 100 ft. radius from buildings; now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, That the North Carolina State Student Senate, based on current public trends of peer institutions, public universities, businesses, and government agencies, recommends to the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees to implement stronger measures to enforce the current smoking policy to promote second hand smoke prevention and increase overall student health; and be it further,

RESOLVED, That the North Carolina State University Student Senate encourages the Board of Governors and the General Assembly to establish dialogue and conduct and collect research so that new and improved smoking policies can be established; and be it further,   

RESOLVED, That N.C. State University should focus on ways to strengthen current smoking regulations by first removing all cigarette receptacles from within a 25 foot radius of all campus buildings.  Second, to promote awareness of current smoking laws, more signs need to be placed around buildings as well as more enforcement of the current smoking policy; and be it further, 

RESOLVED, That tobacco has always been and will always be an important part of North Carolina State University’s culture and history; however, due to current health knowledge and recommendations we, the North Carolina State University Student Senate, feel it is in the university’s best interest to strengthen current smoking regulations; and be it further,

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution will be sent to the Board of Governors; and be it further,

RESOLVED, That this bill be effective upon its enrollment.