Students Vote to Support Tobacco Ban

On March 8-9th, the voice of the students here at MSU was heard with a 61 percent in support of creating a tobacco free campus. According to a recent Chronicle article:

This resolution, passed by a vote of 1,350 in favor to 849 votes against, recommends President Cruzado's administration create a policy that bans both smoking and chewing tobacco on campus within the next two years.

Compared to previous years, voting turnout was higher with 21.5 percent of the 10,374 eligible voters.

Health advocates argued the tobacco industry is marketing new forms of smokeless tobacco to young people, and it is important to send the message that no form of tobacco is safe.

If the university administration decides to follow the student's referendum, MSU would joining five other Montana campuses, including the University of Montana.

MSU now bans smoking within 25 feet of the building, though people on both sides of the agree this rule in not really enforced. Smokers often huddle near the entrances to the Renne Library and other major buildings on campus.