College now in compliance with state smoking law

A formalized district smoking policy has been adopted by the Citrus College Board of Trustees.

Prior to the board's regular meeting on June 16, there was no written policy on smoking at Citrus College. However, the college is now in compliance with state regulations.

The recently approved Citrus College smoking policy is stated in BP 6800: Safety. The board policy on smoking states that the college prohibits of the use of tobacco in all public buildings and is in compliance with other related tobacco use requirements mandated in the state of California.

 "As long as I can smoke somewhere it's not a big deal,"Jonathan Reed, an 18 year old undeclared major said.

Meanwhile, on a national level, the Food and Drug Administration has gained control over tobacco for the first time.

President Barack Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act on June 22, granting the FDA the power to regulate cigarettes. In his remarks Obama identified himself as a smoker who is trying to quit.

Ironically, the new law was supported by America's biggest tobacco corporation, Altria, formerly known as Philip Morris.

Considering the choice between supporting the new restrictions on marketing mandated by the law or facing the possibility that Congress could ban cigarettes completely, the tobacco company giant and its trial lawyers came out in support of it.

The Senate overwhelmingly approved H.R. 1256 by a vote of 79 to 17. As of Sept. 22 it will allow the FDA to not only regulate ingredients used in tobacco products but also to completely prohibit cigarettes ingredients derived from herbs or spices Banned flavors include strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, and vanilla.

However, menthol cigarettes, which are considered to be highly addictive, are excluded from the banned list.

Kunal Gandhi, senior staff scientist from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, conducted research on menthol addiction and discovered that menthol smokers absorb more nicotine and carbon monoxide than do smokers of regular flavored cigarettes. So even though menthol smokers might smoke less, they might find it harder to quit.

The new law also bans tobacco advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.
According to the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids, 90 percent of smokers start smoking at or before the age of 18, and everyday an estimated 1,100 children take up smoking.

The consumption of tobacco products is estimated to kill 443,000 Americans every year. Yet more than 43 million Americans remain addicted to tobacco. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 22 percent of men and 17 percent of women are smokers.

"Adolescents are the most important customers of cigarette companies. Young smokers represent a lifetime of addiction, and a lifetime of profits," according to the Media Awareness Network.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the new law is expected to decrease youth smoking by 11 percent and adult smoking by 2 percent.

"That's an excellent start just to comply with the state law." Math professor David Casey said.

Casey remembers the subject first being brought about three years ago in a committee of the Academic Senate, that he served on, and is happy to see that Citrus is now in compliance with the state law.

As for the new Citrus smoking policy, some students such as James Cheng, a 25-year-old undeclared major, thinks that the new smoking policy will benefit students at Citrus.

"I agree with it," Cheng said. "It will help some people avoid second-hand smoke."

Campuses such as Fullerton College and Santa Monica College have 100 percent smoke-free campuses. Others such as Los Angeles Pierce College and Pasadena City College have designated smoking areas.