Smoking Regulations

Raritan Valley Community College has been a smoke-free campus for more than a decade, but recently campus security guards have begun issuing fines to students who are violating smoking regulations. 

So far more than thirty students have been fined and the administration doesn’t plan on easing up on violators any time soon.

In November 2010, RVCC tightened its smoking regulations. Students are fined if caught smoking anywhere other than the schools parking lots. 

“Since November 2010, security has written 31 summonses for smoking violations,” said Robert Szkodny, the administrator of the security department at RVCC. 

The school issues three fines for smoking: First is $25, second is $50, and the third is $75 in addition to the student being charged with a violation of student conduct.

Many smokers and non-smokers think that RVCC should experiment with new smoking regulations.

“As a student who does not smoke, I would love it if I can be separated from the second hand smoke of other students at this school,” said criminal justice major Stephanie Bullock.

Educational Psychology Professor Deborah Corbett would support a new smoking policy. “I think that there should be some sheltered smoking areas on campus, because it is unrealistic for students to go back to their cars to smoke a cigarette.”

Students still question the current regulations, but until noted otherwise, RVCC will remain a smoke-free environment. 

By: Patricia Da Cunha