Smoking Ban News

Ban on outdoor smoking on Oregon campus is right direction
Extensive bans of this type will continue to occur. Slowly, one by one, outdoor smoking in public places will be outlawed.

By the Editorial Board of the Union-Bulletin

Just two years ago Washington state voters made a bold decision to ban indoor smoking just about everywhere. The voter-approved law put an end to smoking in office buildings, restaurants, bars and almost everywhere else people congregate. And no smoking is allowed outdoors within 25-feet of a building’s entrance.

This effort to protect Washingtonians from second-hand smoke was seen as an overreaction by smokers across the nation.

Yet, it wasn’t long before other states were following Washington’s lead. Oregon, too, has adopted Washington’s ban, although it doesn’t go into effect until 2009.

Nevertheless, it’s clear what direction the Northwest is heading.

Last week officials at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland decided that its entire campus – indoors and outdoors – will be tobacco free as of Sept. 17. The new policy will apply to employees, students, visitors, patients and patient family members.

The Associated Press reports that OHSU will offer patients and visitors counseling, nicotine lozenges and other medications to help them manage their nicotine cravings.

So why has OHSU taken this ultra-bold step? Officials say OHSU wants to set the highest standard in maintaining a healthy environment. It also wants to serve as a model for others.

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The reasoning is sound.

No, we don’t expect that others will be so wowed by this action that strict bans on smoking will be widespread at universities, hospitals or other expansive campuses around the nation – or even the Northwest.

But bans of this type will occur. Slowly, one by one, outdoor smoking in public places will be outlawed.

Society is moving in that direction, and the shift is occurring far faster than we would have imagined even two years ago.