Security doesn’t have enough staff to keep doorways clear of second-hand smoke, says public safety director
Jackie Spencer, a second-year creative photography student smokes by an entrance to L building at North campus. She said she’s never been told to move away from an entrance while smoking.
JON HEMBREY
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Humber security said it has limited means for enforcing a new policy prohibiting smoking within nine metres of all entrances.
Gary Jeynes, director of public safety, said security can do little apart from asking smokers to move away from doors.
He said his staff of 50 cannot police the 130 doors on campus along with other security duties. “I don’t have the staffing.”
“Any person has the right to enforce” the entrance smoking ban, Jeynes said, including staff and students.
The policy was approved by the Humber’s health and safety committee over the summer and signs were posted in September.
The change was “prompted by a concern for the general health and well-being of all people within our environment,” said Rani Dhaliwal, vice-president of finance and administrative services.
The school wants to keep the doors clear of cigarette smoke, she said.
Devon Tyrrell, 19, a first-year culinary skills student, said the rule is “a good thing if you want to avoid second-hand smoke.”
So far, the policy has been “sort of hit and miss,” said Spencer Wood, maintenance and operations manager at Lakeshore campus.
There is “still an educational piece to go along with it” to make people aware of the new rule, he said.
Stephanie Couto, 21, a first-year interior decorating student and smoker, said she has never been told to move by either security or other students.
“Maybe they should put up markers” so people know where to smoke, she said.
The new rule has also created a nuisance for staff who have to clean up cigarette butts spread over a larger area, said David Griffin, manager of maintenance and operations at North campus.
“The problem used to be concentrated, now it’s everywhere – a 50-foot radius,” he said.
Jeynes said things have come a long way despite the problems. “I was here years and years ago as a student so I can remember smoking in classrooms, so think about that one,” he said.