NIC may snuff out smoking
<p>Randall Owens, a University of Idaho student on the North Idaho College campus, and Lyndsie Scoggin, an NIC student, chat while during a smoke break between classes on Monday.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Smokers may be banned from lighting up on the North Idaho College campus.
Student government leaders are examining the college's existing smoking policy, and will likely propose that the community college go smoke-free.
Shelby Gonzales, an ASNIC (Associated Students of North Idaho College) senator, said a smoking policy committee has been set up "to make NIC a better environment for all students."
"We've had various students, staff and faculty come in with issues about second-hand smoke," Gonzales said.
The college's existing policy requires smokers to remain 20 feet from building entrances.
If NIC were to go smoke-free, it would join two other Idaho public higher education institutions that already ban smoking - Boise State University, and the College of Southern Idaho.
The few complaints about second-hand smoke that have reached Ron Dorn, the college's new vice president for resource management, have come from within his own department, from people with asthma who have to walk past smokers congregated by the door to get into the building.
"I imagine if we look more broadly we can find more health issues than that," Dorn said.
Dorn's previous employer, Minot State University in North Dakota, went smoke-free nearly three years ago.
"That was an initiative that came from the students, out of our nursing department," Dorn said.
Shawna Eversole, a newly signed up NIC student, smoked a cigarette Tuesday as she waited for the bus at the College Drive stop outside NIC's Edminster Student Union Building.
"I don't see a problem with having a designated area for smoking," Eversole said.
Garry Stark, NIC's assistant facilities director, said those reviewing the smoking policy are uncertain whether the new rules will allow smokers a special spot on campus to light up, or if NIC will go completely smoke-free like Boise State.
Stark, who is on the committee, said there was no negative feedback when the idea of a smoking ban was brought up at a staff assembly meeting.
"We've been dealing with smoke-related issues for as long as I've been here," said Stark, a 12-year NIC employee.
Any change to the smoking policy will need approval by several campus governance groups before it goes to the Board of Trustees for final approval.