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	S ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ssss sssssss sShirley Lai In the absence of a standardised smoking policy, it is common to find local tertiary students smoking on university campuses, even in non-smoking areas. Students have divergent views on a complete smoking ban.
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		Local universities lack standardised smoking policy By Phoebe Wong For some students, a smoke-free learning environment is a prerequisite for high quality education. This explains why Dr. E. K. Yeoh, the secretary for health and welfare, pledged to consider imposing a statutory smoking ban on school premises, including tertiary institutions. Currently, there is no standardised smoking policy for the seven local universities. They are not obligated to designate the entire campus as a non-smoking area. Therefore local universities have different stances on this issue. Many universities do not designate the whole campus as a non-smoking area. Some have even set up their own smoking areas, official or unofficial. Hong Kong Baptist University is now the only local university where the whole campus is designated as a non-smoking area. Mr. Chiu Ping Kwan is the director of the General Administrative Department at the university. Said he: “There are many ‘No Smoking?signs placed at exits, canteens and rest-rooms. Students and most staff follow.?/font> Mr. Chiu said that the university is flexible about older staffers smoking inside the campus since it is difficult for them to resist the craving for cigarettes. Said Mr. Chiu: “If they smoke inside offices with window air conditioners, this is acceptable. “However, we will request anyone smoking in a centrally air-conditioned room to put their cigarettes out immediately. “If they fail, we make a record.?/font> Concerning mainland students smoking inside guest houses, Mr. Chiu said that they could only encourage them to stop. He said that although the university does not approve smoking in the guest houses, residents could actually smoke inside their rooms on the condition that they are residing in a window air-conditioned room and they had their roommates?consent. Fortunately, Mr. Chiu said, there have been no fires or false alarms attributable to lighted cigarettes. Similarly, The Chinese University of Hong Kong has adopted a persuasive method to prohibit smoking in non-smoking areas. Mr. Benny Tam, director of the Estates Management Office at the university, said there is a total ban on smoking in all indoor areas of the campus. But he said that the universiy expects everyone to police each other instead of setting up a special committee to put an eye on staffers and students. Also, the university would only take action if they received a complaint. Said he: “We are like the owners of restaurants who are afraid of displeasing their customers. It is difficult for us to punish them.?/font> Unlike Baptist University and the Chinese University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has set up an official smoking area for students and staff. Dr. Samuel C. T. Yu, occupational hygienist at the university, said that the designated smoking area is adjacent to a restaurant. The restaurant is like a courtyard without a cover and with one side facing out. He explained, “Some non-smokers enjoy having their meals in outdoor areas. If we allow smoking at any outdoor dining areas, it would be unfair to non-smokers.?/font> Lingnan University has also set up some official indoor and outdoor smoking areas for students and staff. Dr. Cheng Yee-wah, director of the Public Affairs Office, explained that Lingnan University declared itself as a smoke-free workplace in 1996 by joining the Smoke-free Workplace Charter. Therefore, smoking is prohibited within all premises on the main campus. But some regard it as a violation of their rights. Said Dr. Cheng: “We cannot deprive others of their right to smoke. “However, it is smoker’s fault when they affect others. The best solution was to set up official smoking areas.?/font> Baptist University’s Mr. Chiu said the university once considered establishing smoking areas. He said, “Undoubtedly, a certain number of people inside the campus are smokers, but they are only a minority. “If the university set up a smoking area solely for the minority, the resources would not be used effectively. “Also, the setting up of smoking areas indirectly encourages students to smoke.?/font> Although some universities refuse to set up official smoking areas, many students and staff have set up their own unofficial smoking areas where everyone knows they are “allowed?to smoke. According to Wan Lam, a Year 3 student at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the students have an unofficial smoking area. Said she: “We call it the ‘backyard? “I come here to smoke during free lessons or if the lecture is boring. Teaching staff also smoke here. “I’ve even smoked together with my final year project supervisor.?
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		Divergent attitudes toward smoking on the campuses By Shirley Lai It is not surprising to find that tertiary students hold different opinions towards smoking on university campuses. Ming Chan, who studies at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been smoking for 4 years. Said he: “It is reasonable to designate lecture rooms and canteens as non-smoking areas. However, why is smoking also banned in open areas? “After all, smoking is not a crime since the sale of cigarettes is allowed.?/font> A classmate, Wan Lam, has been smoking for 8 years. To her, smoking on the campus should not be taboo. “Smoking is just like having a snack. It is also similar to taking up a habit. Every one has a right to choose their own habits,? she said. However, Marshell Lee, a non-smoker who studies at the University of Hong Kong, said he was astonished when he first saw students smoking on campus. “This badly affects the reputation of the university, especially when there are guests visiting our school,?he said. He favours a ban on smoking on campus completely. Leonard Ling, another non-smoker, is studying at Hong Kong Polytechinic University. He agrees with Marshell Lee “Students smoking on campus damage the image of the university. Outsiders may think that all students at our university are smokers,?said he. Nevertheless, he does not support a complete smoking ban on campus. Explained he: “Smokers would be forced to smoke in places such as toilets in this case. The best solution is to establish an official smoking area for smokers.?