When governor Bobby Jindal signed Senate Bill 36 into law last Monday, he mandated that all Louisiana state institutions develop no smoking policies by the deadline of July 1, 2013.
The bill was championed by Sen. David Heitmeier, D-Algiers and chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and will prohibit all smoking on the campus grounds of Louisiana State University, Southern University and all University of Louisiana System campuses, which includes Southeastern. Sen. Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb and 11 state representatives supported Heitmeier.
The bill was introduced into the State Senate on April 8, 2013 where it was referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare. The bill was then reviewed, revised and passed by the senate in an overwhelming 31-3 vote. On the first of May, the House of Representatives received and reviewed the bill again; this time it was unanimously approved, 97-0. The bill was signed by Jindal on June 10, 2013 and became Act No. 211.
An important distinction in the law is that it does not ban other forms of tobacco use, only smoking. The goal, according to Heitmeier, is to cut down on first and second hand smoke in order to help reduce healthcare costs in the state.
“There’s a wave to try to become healthier in the state,” Heitmeier said to nola.com. “Senate Bill 36 is an attempt to decrease smoking in the state, which would decrease health costs and make Louisiana a healthier place to live.”
Switching to a completely smoke free campus will be a shock for some institutions, though recent campaigns against smoking on Southeastern’s campus may ease the transition.
According to the director of Public and Governmental Affairs, Erin Cowser, it is possible that smoke-free change would have happened without the law in due time.
“Even before this bill was drafted there was much discussion about the possibility of Southeastern going smoke-free,” said Cowser. “It has been an issue raised by several student groups including SGA. And, has been a consideration of the ‘Go Green! Keep it Clean!’ Committee, as well.”
While Cowser thinks transitioning to a completely smoke-free campus will not be easy, the fact that other campuses have successfully done so proves that it’s possible for Southeastern.
“There are numerous institutions around the country, and some in Louisiana, that have already adopted smoke-free campus policies,” said Cowser. “Enforcement of rules and policies is always an ongoing process with sometimes imperfect results, but other institutions are accomplishing it. As is always a good idea, we would look to the best practices of those universities experiencing the greatest success and see if any of their practices might work well for Southeastern.”
Southeastern students who smoke will also have to make a big adjustment when the policy changes go into effect. As with any addiction, quitting cold-turkey is difficult. Cathy Swarner is a senior elementary education major who has smoked for “many, many years.” Swarner is anxious about the policy changes, but can see the other side of the issue.
“I think in a way it’s a good thing, just for helping everyone’s health,” she said. “But you have people who have the habit and have had it, like me, for many years. It’s going to be really hard to stop smoking for the whole day that I’m on campus.”
Swarner plans on enrolling full time during the fall semester, which for her is four classes a day, and isn’t looking forward to dealing with her cravings.
“It’s like an urge, or a really strong craving that you really can’t control,” said Swarner. “It’s so bad that sometimes you can’t concentrate because that’s all you think about is getting that cigarette. It’s going to be very difficult.”
She also has doubts about how the adminstration could inforce a ban on smoking over such a large area, but at the same time Swarner sees a silver lining in this law change.
“There are a million reasons to quit smoking and not a single one to start,” she said. “If anything, this law will discourage people from picking up the habit in the first place.”