Cal State Long Beach Expected to Enact Campuswide Smoking Ban

LONG BEACH — Cal State Long Beach is about to become the first campus in the California State University and Colleges system to declare itself a “smoke-free” environment.

A recommendation by the Faculty Senate expected to be approved by university President Curtis L. McCray would ban smoking beginning in the fall in all campus buildings except the student union and dormitories.

“Given the state of our ventilation, when you smoke in a closed interior the smoke is extended beyond the confines of a small room,” said June Cooper, vice president of faculty and staff relations, who said she brought the issue before the Faculty Senate after receiving numerous complaints. “This (expresses our) concern for the health hazards of nonsmokers and our concern for providing a safe and healthy working environment.”