University of Oklahoma may not mimic smoking ban

NORMAN- A ban on smoking and chewing tobacco has taken effect at Oklahoma State University, but that doesn't necessarily mean the state's other major university will be following suit.

State law bans smoking inside buildings at the University of Oklahoma, and spokeswoman Catherine Bishop said it's also prohibited within 25 feet of all building entrances. So far, though, there hasn't been grassroots support for banning the practice everywhere else on campus.

The issue was brought up this spring in a Student Congress after Oklahoma State approved its policy last year, which went into effect Tuesday. Student Congress chair Kurt Davidson said it was never even made into a formal resolution.

"It was one of those issues that was brought up but there wasn't any traction," Davidson said.

Bishop said in an e-mail that university President David Boren would want input from students, faculty and staff governance groups before considering any smoking ban. If there was support, Boren would appoint a task force to study the issue and suggest an implementation plan.

"While no decision has been made at this point, the university is open to consideration of turning the Norman campus into a tobacco-free campus," Bishop said.

The university's Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City is already smoke-free.

The Oklahoma State policy contains a few exceptions. There are designated areas near student housing and parking lots leased for tailgating before sporting events where smoking will be allowed.

"Certainly something like this was a change in lifestyle for some people," Oklahoma State spokesman Gary Shutt said. "You're never going to have 100 percent concurrence in a change like this."

Davidson said he doesn't expect the University of Oklahoma to implement its own ban unless something happens to catalyze student opinion.

"There has not been a huge outcry (at OU) like there has been at other college campuses," Davidson said.