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Complete smoke ban plan at Aber Complete smoke ban plan at Aber
(about 4 hours later)
Aberystwyth University has announced plans to ban smoking on campus, four months before Wales-wide restrictions come into force. Aberystwyth University is proposing an outright ban smoking on campus, four months before Wales-wide restrictions come into force.
Staff and students could be stopped from smoking inside and outside entrances to buildings, including halls of residence and bars.Staff and students could be stopped from smoking inside and outside entrances to buildings, including halls of residence and bars.
The university's senate will make a decision about whether to press ahead with the proposals next month.The university's senate will make a decision about whether to press ahead with the proposals next month.
A smoking ban in enclosed public spaces in Wales comes into force on 2 April.A smoking ban in enclosed public spaces in Wales comes into force on 2 April.
Those flouting the university's rules could face disciplinary action, but officials said departments may be able to build smoking shelters in designated areas at a later date. If the proposals go ahead, those flouting the university's rules could face disciplinary action, but officials said smoking shelters may be built designated areas at a later date.
In an email to staff Jackie Sayce, an administrator for the departmental health and safety committee, said: "The UWA smoking policy (which should be approved by Senate before Christmas) will, in essence, mean that smoking is to be banned in all UWA buildings".
The university will find it hard to enforce Tutor Patrick CooperThe university will find it hard to enforce Tutor Patrick Cooper
In an email to staff Jackie Sayce, an administrator for the departmental health and safety committee, said: "The UWA smoking policy (which should be approved by Senate before Christmas) will, in essence, mean that smoking is to be banned in all UWA buildings".
The email said that this would include bars and sleeping accommodation and outside external doors and windows.The email said that this would include bars and sleeping accommodation and outside external doors and windows.
"There are no areas on campus that are approved for smoking," said Ms Sayce."There are no areas on campus that are approved for smoking," said Ms Sayce.
"Failure to adhere to the policy can result in disciplinary action for staff and students.""Failure to adhere to the policy can result in disciplinary action for staff and students."
The email said that cigarette butt-bins at the front of the Parry Williams building would be for pedestrians entering the building only.The email said that cigarette butt-bins at the front of the Parry Williams building would be for pedestrians entering the building only.
The university said it would comment later. A statement from the university read: "The University is currently undertaking a review of its smoking policy in light of the changes to the law which will be enforced in April 2007.
I don't understand why the ban is being enforced outside Donna Cheetham
"Currently smoking is banned in all university buildings except in residential accommodation, bars, the Students' Union and the Aberystwyth Arts Centre. The proposals being considered will extend the ban to include these areas.
"The University has agreed to ban, with immediate effect, smoking at the rear entrance to the Parry-Williams building, home to the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies and the BBC studios in Aberystwyth.
"This ban has been introduced in response to a request by the department's health and safety committee."
However, smokers were critical of the university's plans.However, smokers were critical of the university's plans.
Donna Cheetham and Beth Thomas, both 21, and production managers at the department of film, theatre and television, do not agree with the plans.Donna Cheetham and Beth Thomas, both 21, and production managers at the department of film, theatre and television, do not agree with the plans.
Ms Cheetham said: "I don't understand why the ban is being enforced outside because if you're a non-smoker you can just avoid the smokers."Ms Cheetham said: "I don't understand why the ban is being enforced outside because if you're a non-smoker you can just avoid the smokers."
I don't understand why the ban is being enforced outside Donna Cheetham
Ms Thomas added: "I'm a vegetarian, but I don't get offended if I go to a restaurant and meat is on the menu so I don't understand why people are offended if we smoke outside buildings."Ms Thomas added: "I'm a vegetarian, but I don't get offended if I go to a restaurant and meat is on the menu so I don't understand why people are offended if we smoke outside buildings."
Tutor Patrick Cooper, 22, broadly welcomes the Wales-wide ban on smoking, but of the university's plans he said: "Now even outdoor areas have been declared as non-smoking areas.
"The university will find it hard to enforce."
The ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces in Wales comes into force next April.
Businesses and organisations across Wales are being sent information about how the forthcoming ban will affect them.
The assembly government says 400 people in Wales die unnecessarily each year from the effects of inhaling second-hand smoke.