Other colleges still smoker friendly

By William R. Toler

Despite Craven Community College’s heavy handed campus-wide smoking ban, there are two local community colleges that are somewhat smoker friendly…for now.

The Jacksonville Daily News reports that Coastal Carolina Community College and Carteret Community College will still allow smoking, albeit in designated areas.

Coastal CCC, in Jacksonville, posted signs that read “Please refrain from smoking” in several areas, such as intersections between buildings, about a year ago to protect those with sensitivities to smoke.

Carteret CC, in Morehead City has six designated smoking areas which include gazebos and areas away from doorways. Carteret’s policy is “modified” because it shares its campus with several other organizations.

Both colleges say, however, that a full smoking ban hasn’t completely been ruled out, but they will keep current policies for now.

Going back to Craven…it has gazebos far away from the doorways and other gathering places that were built for smokers by former president Scott Ralls.

I’m a smoker and a CCC alum. I would agree to designated smoking areas. I understand some people have allergies and what not. But to not allow adults to smoke out in the wide-open spaces or even in their own cars in the parking lot seems a little draconian to me.

The smokers at Craven need to rise up and let your voices be heard. Organize a petition. Hold a smoke-in. Be noticed and try to compromise. Try and find non-smokers who are also against the policy to help change this around.