On January 1, 2019, U of T adopted a smoke-free policy, which meant that “students, faculty and staff – as well as visitors and the surrounding community – [could] enjoy a safe and healthy environment.” At nearly every entry point to campus, “no smoking” signs were erected, declaring U of T proudly smoke-free.
Despite this, many within the university’s student body indulge in their vice –– smoking.
When and where students smoke
Kate Howden, a non-smoker and a fourth-year studying international relations, messaged The Varsity that many “people smoke in a pavlovian [sic.] way when they’re studying like at the library.” For many, especially around midterm season, smoking is a way to help themselves deal with their workload.
Victoria Lee, a third-year student studying English, echoed this message. Although they only smoke a couple of times a week, they told The Varsity in an interview that “it’s almost exclusively a ‘rewards’ thing.” After a midterm, a cigarette was the mouthpiece to Lee’s misery.
When they saw their peers outside after class, they thought, “Let’s make this thing a party,” and joined them for a cigarette.
Fourth-year linguistics student Cas Duarte told The Varsity that she “and her friends would go in between [Rowell Jackman Hall] in [Victoria College] and Loretto [next to the] dumpster… to smoke… all the time.”
While prohibiting cigarette and vape usage is one aspect of the smoke-free policy, the other is smoking marijuana. Although she’s cut down on smoking weed over the years, Duarte said that when she does, she is more vigilant due to its more noticeable smell.
Varsity Design Editor Brennan Karunaratne noted that U of T policy deters him “a little bit” from smoking on campus, but seeing the no-smoking signs often makes him think, “Oh, cigarette! I could go for a cigarette.”
Duarte argues, “I feel like if we got rid of the no smoking on campus thing, [smokers] wouldn’t be multiplying… people are smoking because they’re smokers.”
Policy in practice
Six years have passed since the smoke-free policy was put into effect. While UTM and UTSC have officially designated smoking areas, UTSG does not. Smoking is permitted on city property at UTSG. That includes many sidewalks and streets on the UTSG campus that are city property, like St. George Street itself.
Today, many garbage bins across campus have a sticker not permitting cigarette butts from being thrown out. Both Duarte and Lee try their best not to litter. Lee “[finds herself] holding onto stuff for a pretty long time,” particularly in her plastic bag with a monkey pattern on it.
Karunaratne noted that “We used to have [cigarette butt disposals] on campus,” but the only one left that he could think of was in front of the Madison Avenue Pub.
Without a place to dispose of cigarette butts, many students will instead toss their cigarettes on the ground. Both Duarte and Karunaratne refer to the “carpet of cigarette butts” on the stairs behind the Robarts Commons. Duarte mentions that, “You can actually put your cigarettes out on the wall. It’s wonderful.”
While standing on a balcony above the campus security office, looking down at their cars, Karunaratne said, “[Campus safety officers] don’t care that much,” he commented. “Dude, I’ve smoked with campus security.”
The smoke-free policy reads, “Additional training is provided to Campus Safety on expectations for enforcement and approaching/engaging with community members who are in violation of the smoke-free campus policy. Enforcement measures will depend on the individual’s relationship with the university, the nature of the infraction, and the place in which it occurred.”
The existing City of Toronto smoking bylaw states that if you want to smoke, it has to happen at least nine metres away from any entrance or exit from a public building. However, this bylaw “does not extend to vaping.”
Karunaratne mentions this policy, saying that, “People are allowed to vape anywhere, so we’ll smoke as we please.”
U of T’s smoke-free policy applies to all smoking and vaping activities.
