Laura Rodriguez, Campus Carrier Staff Reporter

On March 19, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted to create a policy that will prohibit the use of all forms of tobacco products on property owned, leased, rented or in the possession of the University System of Georgia (USG). Some of the purposes of the policy are to preserve and improve the health, comfort and environment of employees and any persons occupying USG facilities. The policy will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2014.

As a private institution, Berry is not affected by this policy.

Debbie Heida, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said Berry had a committee of the student life council looking at whether Berry will also ban smoking and tobacco. The committee met for almost two years.

The college’s strategic plan, which Berry adopted this past fall, calls for the school to become a tobacco free campus. Berry does not allow smoking inside buildings.

Senior Daniela Angulo said banning smoking may not be a good choice for Berry to make.

 “Even though there are a lot of health problems related to smoking, it is important to respect the personal choice to smoke,” senior Daniela Angulo said. “In these four years of living on campus, I have never been affected by other people smoking. I think it’s okay to do campaigns to create awareness, but banning smoking is an extreme decision to take.”

The Board of Regents’ policy applies to all employees, students, contractors, subcontractors and visitors at USG schools and is applicable 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Also, according to the policy, all events hosted by a USG entity, or on behalf of the USG, shall be tobacco and smoke free.