Fullerton : University to Consider Anti-Smoking Petition

A petition to ban smoking in all buildings at Cal State Fullerton is in the “fact-finding phase” while university officials examine smoking policies at the other 18 state universities, a spokeswoman said.

Judy Mandel, director of the university’s public information office, said the proposal is under consideration by the vice president for administration. No recommendation is expected before the review is completed, which could take several weeks, she said.

Dave McCoy, a piano and instrument technician at the university, initiated the proposal, which he submitted in the form of a petition to university officials earlier this month. McCoy charges that “there is literally no place in campus buildings where non-smokers aren’t exposed to smoke.”

McCoy said he devoted his lunch hours to gathering the more than 1,500 signatures from students, staff and faculty. “I just got fed up with the situation. I’m tired of breathing smoke everywhere . . . in the lounge, halls, corridors, offices . . . everywhere.

“I was just curious to see what kind of support this would get, and it was overwhelming.” Other than a few comments and a couple of letters in the school newspaper, McCoy said, he has not encountered any organized opposition to the proposal.

“The university has a legal and medical responsibility to the staff and students,” he said. “I’m trying to remain hopeful that they (university officials) are going to lead the California State system and take a stand. I don’t care what other universities are doing. I think cleanup should begin at home.”

He added: “I think Cal State Fullerton should incorporate the surgeon general’s goal to make this a smokeless society by the year 2000. I think this would be a pretty noble effort.”