Spring Semester 2006: CEAS is Back
February 15th, 2006

The new semester is here. We also welcome our new members who found us among the masses during the involvement fest.

We're also trying to determine an appropriate time to meet for our group meetings, so shoot of an email to Phill with your suggestions. It seems that Mondays and Fridays are best, and we'll see what works best for the group.

News outside of CEAS: On Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14th, CEAS group members went to Annapolis to testify in favor of Smokefree Bars and Restaurants. We had over 50 people fighting on our side, and there were less opponents to state their case. Overall it went great. It can be a bit tough to go up and state your case, as I hope my "shakes" weren't noticable. The adrenaline rush got to me, as it did last year, but as our panel finished, we were asked questions by the commitee, which they did not last year. My "shakes" went away by then and I felt that I spoke much better then.

As our friend Joe Cherner puts it: "Who would have thought that the Virginia Senate would act before the Maryland Senate?" Monday February 13th, 2006:

The Virginia State Senate voted today to ban smoking in restaurants and virtually all public places, a surprising move in a state that is home to the worldwide headquarters of Philip Morris and some of the nation's largest tobacco farms. The body narrowly approved the measure after a short but fiery debate over the public health risks of second hand smoke and consumer choice.

The rest of the article was sent out through the CEAS mailing list, and can be posted on the blackboard community page.

England Passes Smokefree Workplace Law.Protection of worker health most important priority. February 14th, 2006:

Today, British lawmakers voted by a huge margin to clear the air in every pub, club, and indoor public space in England, adding it to the growing list of countries taking a tough stand against smoking in favor of worker health.

The bill, passed 384 to 184, followed months of heated debate that divided the Labour government and stimulated health groups. Jubilant health campaigners welcomed the decision, saying the law would save thousands of innocent victims from exposure to a toxic substance, while critics condemned the government for interfering.

The law will now pass to the unelected upper House of Lords, where it is also expected to pass. If so, it will become law by mid-2007.

More CEAS and world news to come! Thanks for stopping by!

GSA Loves CEAS, Too!
Dec 5th, 2005

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) of UMBC conveined tonight and voted in favor of our policy (20-7-1). That got our group the 3 of the 5 university votes neccesary to be able to present our policy to the President's Council, which, hopefully will be passed since our President seems to be in favor of the idea. We'll pass along any information that may help, as will we see that this decision can be made in a timely manner, so even perhaps by Fall 2006 the policy may be in effect.

The next meeting time is posted in the upper right of this page. I won't be able to attend, as I have class at the time, but Phill is hoping that anyone can contribute ideas for things we can work for, in the coming semester.

--------------

Outside of UMBC, Howard County will be dealing with their own policies getting votes tonight at 7:30 pm (results to be posted later), and again on Dec 19th. On the 19th, there will be a vote to protect all current establishments that allow smoking to continue to do so, in the event that a bar-smoking ban is made into law. If you can help push down this law, so that time may be better spent on either all-or-nothing cases, please respond to Mark Breaux.

RSA Loves CEAS
Oct 5th, 2005

We feel like this is a huge step in our efforts to establish smokefree entryways for entire campus. As many of you know, UMBC is one of the last campuses in Maryland without smokefree entryways. This is an absolute shame because there are many individuals (students, faculty, staff, and visitors) who are directly effected by secondhand smoke. We also know that the majority of individuals on our campus support our policy.

We hope to increase our efforts to publicize the dangers of secondhand smoke in the coming months. Several community organizations including the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Smokefree Maryland have all taken a special interest our efforts, and are planning to support us in several events throughout the academic year. Our first big event will be the Great American Smokeout in November. We are looking for individuals who are willing to volunteer with several large events on the week of November 14th. If you are interested in being more involved, please come to our next meeting this coming Tuesday, October 11th at 5:30 in the Commons, room 330 or contact Phill Hans.

We would also like to get the word out about our new website. Our little site has received a lot of attention from individuals across the country, and even internationally, because we've posted James Repaces outdoor air quality study.

Minutes from Last Meeting
Sept 27, 2005

Hey Everyone,

We'd really like to see you at the next meeting which is 11 October 2005 at 530pm in Commons room 330. We will have snacks and drinks and it will last until 630pm. Please try to make it or send someone from your group who can represent you. Take a look at the minutes from our last meeting to see what you think and any feedback you can give would be great. THANKS!!! ~phill

POLICY-This occurred after the meeting: James Repace has agreed to present to the Graduate Student Association on Monday November 7, 2005.
Layne and Phill presented information regarding smoking policy and James Repace’s article to the Resident Student Association and they are currently discussing their options regarding smoke-free entryways in the residential facilities. Layne also spoke with the Concessions Committee who was very receptive of the idea of ending the sale of cigarettes on campus. Hopefully they will make a good decision and do away with it.

GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT- November 17th; more details to come. Comedian to
speak: Renee Hicks.
What types of things do we want to have at the event?
Do we want a theme to the smokeout?

THE SEMESTER AND ACADEMIC YEAR-

-Reaching the Faculty/Staff-Ideas
Sending personal letters to the Senators of the Faculty Senate and other
Faculty members in order to heighten awareness of the effects of
secondhand smoke as well as promoting general education on the issue.

Sending random copies of the petitions to have people sign? The
question here is that of confidentiality. Is it ok to send these petitions with
people’s information on it to organizational bodies who normally would not
have access to this information? Let’s start a discussion about this.

-More Flier-ing
Take a look at this site to see some things you’d might be
interested in posting around campus.

One idea was to have a picture of a healthy lung and one of a diseased
lung with some sort of caption stating, “Beauty is on the inside”.

New Site: Same Location
Sept 19, 2005

CEAS Site Launched
August 30th, 2005

Any way you can help out ends up helping in a big way. Also, with the influx of new people, new signers have already popped up. We've already gotten 100 new student signatures, and school hasn't officially started!

Here is the official home for all things C.E.A.S. You can find information on the harms that come from smoking, the dangers of second-hand smoke, and what you can do to help others.

Take a look around, and you can find the online editions of the petitions we are currently acting on, along with a description, plus general facts and pamphlets on cigarette smoke.