Grand Valley American Marketing Association

The GVSU smoking policy states that individuals should smoke 25 feet away from any doorway, bridge or bus stop. How often do you see this followed? Exactly.

Many say that walking through smoke once a day doesn’t cause any harm, but on average, students walk through smoke five times per day. My grandmother died of complications caused by secondhand smoke from a man who smoked outside and in the basement for 20 years, so yes, it does cause harm.

Currently, it is the students’ responsibility to enforce the smoking policy. When someone encounters an individual smoking in the prohibited area they should politely ask them to relocate. Would you be willing to request this? Not me. That’s where others need to get involved. It’s time to speak up for our health.

A campaign to increase awareness and compliance of the GVSU smoking policy on both the Allendale and Pew campuses is in brainstorming stages. Eye catching displays and even demonstrations may be in store over the next year to bring the consequences of secondhand smoke home to Grand Valley. What would make you speak up for your health? This is a topic that affects everyone; all voices are welcome.

Have ideas? A strategy development team is currently being formed. If you would like to be involved in the brainstorming process please contact me at carpenmi@gvsu.edu.

This is your health at stake, will you speak up? I hope so.