Students Taking Action Against Nicotine Dependence (STAND) are fighting to make Sacramento State a smoke-free campus with proposals including smoke-free athletic events and Greek activities.

For approximately two years, STAND has been an active club on campus funded by a grant through the American Lung Association.

The current smoking policy at Sac State includes that smoking is not allowed within 20 feet of any campus building entrances, and also prohibits smoking in the stadiums of any outdoor games.

The Senior Program Manager of the American Lung Association, Leslie Snokes, said the main goal is to set aside separate smoking areas away from campus buildings, and to eliminate smoking at athletic events and other campus events.

STAND team member Flavio Alves made a proposal to the Panhellenic and Inter-Fraternity Council, the organizations that govern sororities and fraternities on campus, on why they should keep mixers and other Greek events smoke free.

“We realize that each campus is different and unique and needs its own policy,” Snokes said. “We have received tremendous support from Sac State; we have already received a petition with 1400 student signatures.”

Alves said the Greek community is preparing a resolution that will be voted on within the next two weeks.

“We are trying to go little by little to achieve this goal,” Alves said.STAND has sent out proposal letters to campus departments asking for letters of support.

Alves said that one of STAND’s ideas is to implement courses that would help smokers quit their habit.

“The faculty senate will be voting on that soon,” Alves said. “American River College has classes like that and they are a community college.”

Panhellenic President Tracy Zenovic said that she supports STAND’s ideas.

“I think that it’s a great idea,” Zenovic said. “A lot of the Panhellenic ladies agreed with it, but I can’t speak for all of them.”

Athletic Director Terry Wanless agreed with the proposals.”My understanding is that smoking is only allowed around the stadium, but not in the stands,” Wanless said. “But I certainly support what these students are doing.”

Fresno State University recently passed the resolution to make their campus smoke free effective next year.

STAND is funded by a three-year grant through the American Lung Association.

“After the three years are up we will be re-evaluated to see if we still need the funding on this campus,” Snokes said.

According to the STAND fact sheet, 16 of the 23 CSU campuses are currently enforcing policies greater than the state law.