News
UNO students push for smoke-free campus
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
KETV (Omaha)
Students are pushing for a smoke-free campus after a cigarette caused a two-alarm dorm apartment fire at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
About 50 students were displaced last week after a fire ripped apart the top floor of the apartment building.
"It is an unfortunate reminder that smoking affects more than just the smoker itself," said Corey Kinnan, of Eta Sigma Gamma, an honor society for public health education students.
Kinnan said UNO students should never have to feel this kind of impact again.
"Ultimately, that's our goal to have a smoke-free environment at UNO," he said. "We're just really passionate about improving the lives of our fellow students and in our community."
Some fellow students KETV NewsWatch 7 spoke to think Eta Sigma Gamma shouldn’t get involved.
“It should be up to us to decide whether we want to or not,” said student Jesse Taylor.
But others, including almost 500 signatures on a UNO smoking petition, are ready to kick cigarettes off campus.
“Since it's present on campus, it affects me, and I don't like it,” said student Chas Busch.
"When you walk by, you don't want smoke in your face. I don't like my clothes smelling like smoke," said student Kaylee Samson.
Right now, no one is supposed to smoke in UNO buildings, including dorms, but you can smoke 10 feet away from an entrance.
“I think UNO has had a lot of issues with people not smoking in designated areas,” said student Cassidy Cooper.
Next week during UNO’s student government elections, ballots will ask all students if cigarettes should go.
To learn about Smoke-Free UNO, visit its Facebook page or http://smokefreeuno.com/.
In a poll last week, 66 percent University of Nebraska at Kearney students said they'd like a smoke-free campus. Kinnan said it's proof this is isn't an isolated movement.
http://www.ketv.com/news/uno-students-push-for-smokefree-campus/24828844
