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Policy welcomed by most, an imposition for others Most people who smoke know they shouldn’t.     Though the toll it takes on their bodies often is evident, the dopamine boost that nicotine causes is satisfying, at least temporarily they say.   Most smokers agree, however, that they should not expose their habits or addictions to nonsmokers or passersby.   Huddled in an Oriental-styled hut next to the main hospital, visitors to the hospital sat quietly, dragging on their cigarettes. Most of them weary, they waited word on a very sick loved one, like the mother of a 17-year-old boy who lies in ICU after a dirt bike accident.   “I know I shouldn’t smoke. I have COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease],” said Stephanie Brumley of Georgetown. “But it’s a tough time to quit. My son’s in ICU.”   Another woman from Illinois was enjoying a cigarette after the birth of her granddaughter. She doesn’t apologize for her habit and said that while she appreciates having a designated smoking area, she would prefer the outside hut area to be more comfortable.   “There is no heat,” said Marilyn Patterson of Illinois. “This is abuse to be put out in the cold.”   Most people sharing this hut area agreed that huts are welcomed if for no other reason than to have a quiet place to sit and smoke without interference from non-smokers. Most agree that their smoke should not be shared with nonsmokers and are happy to comply with some restrictions. At the same time, they complained about smokers who do not use the ash trays, noting the scattered butts on the ground within inches of the cigarette disposal units.   Anthony Kourmoulakis spends much of his day picking up butts thrown down by smokers. The MUSC grounds specialist does not believe that a smoking policy will stem the lack of consideration by many who smoke.   “People who throw their cigarette butts everywhere bother me,” Kourmoulakis said. “It’s more work for us to maintain and clean.”   In response to a student government appeal, MUSC developed and has implemented a smoke-free policy. The policy, which is consistent with policies at other higher learning institutions in the state, was a compromise between a more stringent policy sought by anti-smoking proponents and laws that are more likely to pass judicial muster.   Joe Good, J.D., MUSC chief legal counsel, explained that MUSC’s policy could not be more restrictive than the state’s law. The Clean Indoor Act bans indoor smoking in public buildings but requires designated smoking areas. Banning smoking on campus altogether would likely be challenged in court, and such a ban would not prevail under existing statutes.    “You can’t punish people for smoking. … This policy does not discriminate, but it does attempt to segregate smoke from nonsmokers,” Good said. “We can provide a smoke-free environment, one that ensures the health and wellbeing of patients, employees and visitors in smoke-free areas.”   Good also said that MUSC seeks to ban smoking in areas that would expose people to others’ smoke in the Horseshoe and next to building entrances. “It gives the wrong image, seeing employees, physicians and patients in a cloud of blue smoke,” Good said. “This is a health institution, and people should have freedom from secondhand smoke.”   Compliance to the policy, however, is strictly voluntary, Good said. “We won’t be writing any tickets,” he said, adding that 99.9 percent of the people would likely comply with the smoke-free policy.   To read the policy  online visit http://www.musc.edu/hrm/policies/policy49.html. Employees can access the policy at http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/policy/Med/A36.pdf.     Friday, Jan. 5, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.