Salem State to ban smoking on campus next fall

SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State University will join more than 200 others across the country next fall and ban smoking on campus grounds.

Some students and faculty are fuming over the ban.

"I pay to come here. I want to smoke butts," said Dan Murphy, a student.

College administrators said they want to promote a healthy lifestyle.

"If we can help educate our young people here about the health risks associated with smoking, then we’ve done our job," said spokesperson Karen Cady.

Currently, everyone is allowed to smoke outside, but they have to be 25 feet away from a building.

"I am outside. I am not blowing it in anyone's face on purpose," said Murphy.

However, come next September, all cigarettes and chewing tobacco will not be allowed anywhere on campus, and that has sparked outrage.

"It's people's choice to smoke. You can't really take it away from them," said a student.

Others say it's a breath of fresh air.

"It's kind of aggravating to walk outside to fresh air and then it not be and it be clouded with smoke," said Ashley Boudrow, a sophomore.

The president surveyed the faculty, staff and students about how they felt about a smoke free campus. 1,200 responded, and the majority liked the idea.

“Cigarette butts stay in the environment for an awfully long time. If I don't sweep them up we would probably be up to our knees by now," said John Sverker, a maintenance worker.

The ban doesn’t go into effect until September 1 of next year.

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