Society is not something that is kept together physically; it is held by the invisible bonds of common thought. If the bonds were too far relaxed the members would drift apart. A common morality is part of the bondage. The bondage is part of the price of society; and mankind, which needs society, must pay its price…It is not possible to set theoretical limits to the power of the state to legislate against immorality.

– Partick Delvin, The Enforcement of Morals, 1965

The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it. Each is the proper guardian of his own health, whether bodily, or mental or spiritual. Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest.

– John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859

Smoking on Campus: The Current Situation

Smoking in restricted areas only.

Smoking tents.

Parking lots.

No smoking within 25 of buildings.

No tobacco products sold on campus.

Perceptions of what’s working and not?

REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BP 3570

For the purposes of this policy, smoking shall mean all uses of tobacco, including but not limited to cigar smoking, cigarette smoking, pipe smoking, and chewing tobacco. In order to protect students and staff who choose not to smoke from an unhealthy environment, the Board prohibits smoking within buildings or facilities owned or leased by the District.

Smoking is not allowed except in designated smoking areas and campus parking lots which are at least twenty-five feet from buildings. These designated areas will be clearly marked as “Smoking Areas” and are noted on campus maps. All other smoking and tobacco use in and on College of the Redwoods is expresslyprohibited. Furthermore, smoking is not allowed in college owned or leased vehicles. Violators will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Tobacco and related products will not be sold or promoted on any other campus of the District.

“In order to protect students and staff who choose not to smoke from an unhealthy environment, the Board prohibits smoking within buildings or facilities owned or leased by the District.”

Is CR morally obligated to provide this protection?

“In order to protect students and staff who choose not to smoke from an unhealthy environment….

Does CR’s obligation to protect from an unhealthy environment extend beyond non-smoking staff and students?

“In order to protect students and staff who choose not to smoke from an unhealthy environment…

Is CR morally obligated to protect students who choose to smoke from an unhealthy environment?

“In order to protect….”

What constitutes protection?

Smoking on Campus: A Deontological/ Kantian Approach

The practical imperative: Always treat individuals as ends and never as means.

If the smoker is a person (i.e. an individual)……

If the non-smoker is a person (i.e. an individual)….

The categorical imperative: “Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become universal law.”

“Everyone ought to always….”

Smoking on Campus: A Utilitarian ApproachAn act that increases happiness or pleasure (or minimizes unhappiness and suffering) is right; act that decreases happiness or causes suffering is wrong.

• Intensity (How intense is the pleasure/suffering?)

• Duration (How long does the pleasure/suffering last?)

• Certainty (How sure is the pleasure/suffering?)

• Proximity (How soon will the pleasure/suffering be experienced?)

• Fecundity (How many more pleasures/sufferings will follow?)

• Purity (How free from pain is the pleasure?)

• Extent (How many people will experience pleasure/suffering?)

How do the different ethical frameworks apply to the question?

Virtue Ethics.

Objectivism.

Ethical Egoism/Relativism.

Social Contract Theory.

Should CR….

Provide free smoking cessation programs?

Sell tobacco products?

Allow cigarette advertising on campus?

Allow anti-tobacco ads/demonstrations on campus?