Photo by: Molly Jones

The University of Denver conducted a smoking survey and found that smokers on campus are breaking the rule requiring them to stand 25 feet from the door of any building. To remedy this problem the Health Center had planned to erect umbrellas or “smoking shacks” around campus as “smoking-only” zones.

The idea of smoking umbrellas, shacks or shelters on campuses is not a new one. Many universities have such structures to keep smoking in designated areas and away from buildings and nonsmokers while also providing shelter from the elements for those who smoke.

The proposal for smoking umbrellas on campus was overwhelmingly opposed and never made it to fruition. Those in opposition to the smoking umbrellas said that designating smoking zones might increase the number of smokers on campus because of the social nature of the structures. Additionally, each umbrella costs a whopping $2,000-$3,000 and was deemed too large of an expenditure for something that smokers may refuse to use.

The Health Center is still looking for ways to reduce the number of smokers at DU.

“We would really like to make some policy changes on campus in regard to tobacco because any exposure to tobacco, whether it is smoke, chewing tobacco, etc. is harmful,” said Katie Dunker, the health promotions coordinator.

The center has already managed to change some of the rules about smoking.

Smokers are now required stand 25 feet away from any building replacing the earlier rule that required smokers to just stand 25 feet from a door.

Smoking at DU could soon become as unseen as snow in summer. Plans to make DU a completely smoke-free campus have already begun. If you happen to think this is cruel and unusual keep in mind that many other Universities in the nation are moving in the same direction. So, smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em…and while you still can.