Smoking has been a matter up for debate ever since it became popular decades ago. Colleges differ with rules and regulations with smoking on campus, but Iowa State University is one of the colleges that has decided on a smoke-free environment and enforces it.

Smoking is not necessarily a “concern” at Iowa State, but it is seen often. Lawmakers passed the Smokefree Air Act back in 1988 that made smoking less of a concern.

According to the Iowa State University Smoking-Free Campus Guidelines, this act was put in place “to protect employees and the general public from exposure to tobacco smoke.”

“I’m against smoking because I don’t want to breathe that in on my way to class,” stated Hannah Koplin, a freshman in Advertising.

The Smokefree Air Act prohibits smoking in public places, enclosed areas within places of employment, and some outdoor areas.

“It is the policy of Iowa State University to comply with the Smokefree Air Act by declaring the entire university grounds and properties a Smoke-Free Campus. This policy applies to all university employees, students and visitors and covers all university owned, leased or operated vehicles, buildings, property, and grounds under the control of the university,” according to the guidelines.

The grounds of the university include “parking lots, athletic fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, and any other outdoor area under the control of the university.”

Although the act is in place, opinions still differ when it comes to choosing to smoke or not.

“I personally choose not to smoke tobacco. I do feel it is acceptable as long as second hand smoke is avoided,” stated Paul Edwards, a freshman in Hospitality Management.

With smoking comes enforcement, mainly by the ISU police.

“Iowa State University police officers are responsible for routine patrol of the Iowa State University campus and may issue citations to a person who smokes in an area where smoking is prohibited on the grounds of the university,” according to the guidelines.

Not only police enforce the law, you can as well. If you see smoking in a prohibited area then you can file a smoking complaint form.

City streets and sidewalks, such as Lincoln Way or Sheldon Avenue, are not included in the grounds of the university; therefore smokers can smoke on the sidewalks surrounding those streets. However, on institutional streets within the campus, like Union Drive and Osborne Drive, smoking is not permitted, according to Inside Iowa State in an article by Diana Pounds.

Smoking is thought of in different ways and everyone has their own opinion on the matter.

“I can’t stand it when girls smoke. I don’t want to be married to a girl that looks worse than Mick Jagger by the time she is 40,” stated Jimmy Howard, a freshman in agriculture business.

Smoking also ruins the environment by the cigarettes thrown to the ground, which can be seen all along Lincoln Way.

Iowa State students are lucky that we have the Smokefree Act, which will protect students form second-hand smoke for years to come.