California State University Trustees Vote to Strengthen Restrictions on Outdoor Smoking
California State University's Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of a proposal encouraging the 23 campuses in the system to "tighten outside smoking bans," the Los Angeles Times reports. Under state law, smoking is prohibited within five feet from the entrances of public buildings, but the regulation would allow the ban to extend to 20 feet or more. Smoking already is banned inside the buildings (Hayasaki, Los Angeles Times, 9/18). The board today is expected to ratify its decision and ask university presidents to "revamp" their current policies on outdoor smoking (Erik Olvera, Fresno Bee, 9/18). The final decision on any policy change will be up to each school president. The Times reports the regulation was pushed by a student coalition from eight Cal State campuses called Campuses Organized and United for Good Health, or COUGH (Los Angeles Times, 9/18). Joseph Hurley, a spokesperson for the group, said the coalition wants university leaders to reduce the amount of secondhand smoke that wafts inside (Fresno Bee, 9/18). Currently, two Cal State campuses have restrictions that are stronger than state law; Cal State Northridge has a 30-foot buffer zone for campus buildings, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo bans smoking with 15 feet of a residence (Los Angeles Times, 9/18).
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