SPRINGDALE — Jay Kent stepped outside for a smoke break between classes last week at Northwest Technical Institute.
He could've gotten a $100 fine at the University of Arkansas, but a new state law against smoking on college campuses does not apply to the vocational-technical school.
The law, which took effect Aug. 1, bans smoking at all state-supported institutions of higher education.
AT A GLANCE
Key Arkansas Smoking Laws
Act 8 of 2006, Clean Indoor Air Act, bans smoking inside businesses. Law exempts establishments where customers must be 21 or older.
Act 13 of 2006, Arkansas Protection from Secondhand Smoke for Children Act, prohibits smoking in cars if any passenger is age 6 or younger.
Act 734 of 2009, Arkansas Clean Air on Campus Act, bans smoking at all state-supported institutions of higher education, such as universities and community colleges.
Source: Staff Report
NTI is a state agency regulated by the Arkansas Department of Career Education. Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute, a vocational-technical school in Forrest City, is also regulated by the department, and the law does not apply there either.
The schools follow state rules against smoking indoors and within 25 feet of building entrances. Red lines were painted on school sidewalks this summer to show the distance to building entrances.
Kent, a nursing student, said the 25-feet rule serves as a good compromise for allowing smokers to smoke and not infringing on others' rights. Anthony Hunt, a smoker enrolled in the diesel technology program, said he doesn't mind standing past the red lines that mark off 25 feet to the entrances.
George Burch, president of NTI, plans to follow the current rules until the state changes them.
State Rep. Barry Hyde, D-North Little Rock, said he sponsored the anti-smoking law because some central Arkansas college administrators complained about litter on campus.
The vocational-technical schools weren't included because no one at the schools wanted to ban tobacco. Hyde said he probably won't attempt to amend the law unless school administrators push for the change.
Burch said litter from cigarettes is not a major problem on his campus.
Kyle Aaron, a nonsmoker enrolled in the auto technology program, said he had no problem with the smoking on campus.
"I think it's perfectly fine," he said. "It's a hard habit to quit."
Tyler Clark, project coordinator for the Northwest Arkansas Tobacco Free Coalition, said he would prefer the school adopt the same rules as colleges and universities. The students and staff will smoke less if the policy changes.
"It's discouraging to hear that institution is not on the path to becoming smoke free," he said.
Smoking is a frequent cause of lung disease and pulmonary disorders and contributes to long-term health problems such as heart disease, Clark said. Smokeless tobacco also causes cancers of the mouth and throat.
John Lindsey, a smoker who teaches classes in the auto technology program, said the rule works. Many students are older than the traditional students who attend the University of Arkansas.
"This is a vo-tech. You've got to allow it," said Josh Johnson, a 28-year-old student in the school's diesel program.
Karla Bishop, a nonsmoker who oversees the NTI nursing program, said she doesn't object to the approach but thinks the state will eventually make the school change.
The nursing program has its own rule that students cannot smoke while wearing their clinical attire, Bishop said. This started because hospitals, where many of the students will go to work, banned smoking outdoors.
"It's a growing trend nationwide that there are fewer and fewer places where you are allowed to smoke," said Steve Voorhies, manager of media relations for University of Arkansas.
The university implemented its own tobacco free campus policy in 2008.
Its police department will now write tickets to violators since it has become law, Voorhies said. Fines range from $100 to $500.
A smoking ban would be difficult to enforce because NTI does not have a police force, Burch said. The school hires two part-time security guards to patrol the grounds at night.
State Sen. Bill Pritchard, R-Elkins, said he has no plans to introduce legislation to expand the smoking ban.
State Rep. John Woods, R-Springdale, did not vote on the bill when it went through the House. He believes decisions about regulating tobacco on campus are best made at the local level.
Smoking is forbidden at NWACC's Washington County Center in Springdale even though the college leases the building. Property owner Rick McCullough agreed to declare the property smoke free.
"It's not been a major issue," said Brenda Green, center director.