With ashtrays set near the entrances of many buildings on the Auburn University campus, students and faculty are often forced to walk through a cloud of smoke on their way to class.
But that all ends today when a citywide smoking ban goes into effect in Auburn, preventing smokers from lighting up within 10 feet of public buildings, including those on campus.
Members of Ignite Auburn, a student organization started last spring to prevent youth smoking, were gathered in the concourse in front of the Haley Center Tuesday to provide students with information about the ban as well as the deadly effects of tobacco use.
"We want to make sure all students are aware (of the ban) and will follow the rules," said Ignite Auburn founder and president Rachel Evans.
The timing of the ban couldn’t be any better, Evans noted, as Thursday is when the American Cancer Society sponsors "The Great American Smokeout," a day devoted to encouraging smokers to quit. Between the ban and the Smokeout, she expects AU to experience some change, including moving ashtrays 10 feet from buildings.
"It was only a matter of time," she said.
An AU senior, Evans said her generation has known about the damaging affects of tobacco, even chewing tobacco, since they were young children, but they are at the age now when they know someone, often a loved one, who has developed health problems from years of smoking. Evans lost her grandmother to smoking and her friend’s father recently had triple bypass surgery as a result of a longtime habit.
"It’s something we are seeing a lot," she said. "I think a lot of students will support the cause."
Members of Ignite Auburn will be on the concourse again today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the same cause in mind - information. Students can donate to the ACS and sign a thank-you card to the Auburn City Council.
"We want them to know we are backing their decision to make Auburn a healthier campus and city," she said.
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