California’s state law against smoking indoors is clear, but uncertainty persists regarding the university’s policy on smoking outside on campus.

The smoking policy outlined in the University Policy manual has been changed over the summer to include that smoking is prohibited on major walkways, but does not define what a “major walkway” is.

Health education assistant Cyndra Krogan, of the Student Health Center, is responsible for the launching of a media campaign to promote awareness of these changes.

“I understand that the policy is unclear about which walkways are non-smoking,” Krogan said, “but it is up to students to determine for themselves not to smoke where a lot of other students are walking.”

Krogan is the staff advisor to Students Taking Action against Nicotine Dependence. The night before this semester began, STAND marked the walkways around campus with chalk to outline where smoking is prohibited.

The policy has also been changed from smoking being prohibited within 15 feet of doorways to within 20 feet of not only doorways, but all buildings.

The policy states “the university will install ashtrays beyond 20 feet from doorways.”

Currently, however, there are ashtrays just beside the doorways of many campus buildings.

Vice President of Student Affairs Shirley Uplinger is aware of this inconsistency and has asked Facilities Management to assist in implementing the new policy by moving the ashtrays 20 feet from doorways.

University policy also states “specific outside areas for smoking will not be established or identified.”

“We thought about (making smoking areas),” Uplinger said, “but unless the smoking areas were covered, they would be unused if it rained. Building covered kiosks would be too expensive,” Uplinger said.

Lawrence Pangilinan, a civil engineering major and a smoker, said the chalk marks had no impact because they were gone after a few days.

“If they are going to enforce the policies, they should put up clear signs on the walkways and around the doorways,” Pangilinan said.

He disagreed with the decision to stop the sale of cigarettes on campus and sees it unfair that alcohol can be sold but not tobacco.

Scott Wilson, a University Store employee, said he has not seen a difference in business since cigarettes were taken off the shelves.

“People are coming in asking us for cigarettes, and we just tell them the policy,” Wilson said. “We had signs up since May, so most people already know and come prepared.”

University police said people concerned about second hand smoke should ask smokers to move.

Interior design major Nicole Rouillard, a non-smoker, said she would never ask people to stop smoking if she saw them smoking in major walkways or within 20 feet of a building.

“If someone was smoking and it was really bothering me, I would probably just move,” Rouillard said.

Detective John Hamrick said university police have not received any complaints about smoking violations.

“If asked, smokers will move,” said Hamrick, who agreed the policy could be made clearer.

There is no penalty in place for smoking violations on campus, Hamrick said. If a person is found smoking inside, on major walkways or within 20 feet of doorways, police would politely explain the policy and ask the smoker to extinguish his or her cigarette.

Hamrick said he is not sure if there should be heavier punishments.

“I don’t know if we should introduce having harsher penalties,” Hamrick said. “But I don’t think there should be a fine. That would be taking it too far.”