Cigarette smoking has become increasingly common on campus, but a new system will take effect this week to discourage people from smoking in undesignated areas. The whopping $100 first-offense ticket will undoubtedly burn a hole in the pockets of some nicotine-craving SRJC students.

SRJC’s District Police Department has created a new computerized system to log names and other information of students who are caught smoking within 20 feet of District property. This new ability will allow patrolling officers to see records of those who were warned and/or previously cited in an effort to combat repeat offenders.

“The first time someone is seen smoking in an undesignated area they will be informed and warned about the violation,” said David Willat, lieutenant of SRJC’s District Police Department. “If they’re contacted again, the can run their name through the computer and if it says they had been warned, we will start issuing citations.”

Although the ordinance was put into effect in 2009, many students have simply ignored the rule, claimed not to have known about it or told officers they haven’t received a warning yet.

There are currently no designated smoking areas on campus, and Willat says it is “nearly impossible” to smoke on Elliot Avenue without being within 20 feet of District property since SRJC owns the majority of properties on both sides of the street.

Some students think this new aggressive approach to stop smoking on campus is unfair due to the lack of time between classes and scarcity of legal areas to smoke.

“I don’t know why they can’t just put in a designated smoking area somewhere on campus,” said SRJC student and occasional smoker Ryan McKeever. “There’s no way I have time to walk all the way to Mendo and back to my math class without being late.”

The citation amount more than doubles for the first three offenses. First-time offenders receive a warning, and the second encounter will result in a $100 fine. If the same person is seen a third time, the fine jumps to $250, and every occurrence afterwards within one year will land them a $500 ticket.

“We’re not in this to hammer people and make money, that’s why we want to get the word out and inform people,” Willat said. “It’s an increasing problem this semester for some reason, and part of it is that we have new students who aren’t aware of it or were misinformed thinking they can just go across the street and be off of District property.”

Some people, like SRJC student Amy Nelleson, think the new system is a good idea because of how many people ignore the no-smoking rule. “I think it’s a good idea because people are always smoking on both sides of the sidewalk and it’s really annoying sometimes when you’re on your way to class,” Nelleson said. “Most of them are inconsiderate and blow smoke right in front of you when you’re walking.”

The SRJC District Police also plans to step up patrol for bicycling and skateboarding on campus as well, because they have received an increased number of complaints about both this semester. However, this is a violation of SRJC’s district policy and can only be punishable in academic ways like suspensions etc.

“I’ve seen people riding bikes all over the interior of the campus, and even seen people skateboarding on the second floor of Emeritus Hall,” Willat said. “People ride skateboards down the center of Elliot Avenue, and under the vehicle code a skateboarder is considered a pedestrian so they are subject to being cited.”

These new strategies will be in effect sometime during the week of Feb. 13 – 17, and all students are encouraged to spread the word about the changes in the smoking, bicycling and skateboarding policies on campus.