Harford Community College has two outdoor areas designated for smoking on campus. But at its meeting tonight, the school’s board of trustees will consider banning it everywhere on campus except for personal vehicles.

The college’s president said he proposed the ban after noticing cigarette butts all over campus grounds.

“I’m not trying to regulate people’s lives,” said President James LaCalle. “I do have a responsibility to keep the campus attractive.”

LaCalle said that before he introduced the measure to the board, he approached the College Advisory Council, which is made up of faculty, staff and students, in order to see how the ban would be viewed.

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“Though not everyone was in agreement, the overall consensus was that this would be acceptable,” LaCalle said.

“As a smoker, [seeing cigarette butts on campus] doesn’t bother me, but I can understand how someone who doesn’t smoke would consider it dirty,” said Peter Barry, 20, of Norrisville.

However, “I think they should realize that a very large population of the students smoke, and I think [the ban] will only alienate those people,” said Barry, a sophomore.

“I personally do not smoke, but I am against [the ban],” said freshman Joseph Jeworski, 18, of Fallston. “It’s a choice. People have the right to smoke if they want to, and there has been no evidence that outdoor secondhand smoke presents a danger.”

“We’re at an age now where we are going to do it anyway,” said Street resident Jenny Hejduk, a 19-year-old sophomore at Harford, who was enjoying a cigarette in one of smoking areas on campus.

Hejduk said she felt the ban as an attempt to limit her lifestyle under the auspice of looking out for her health.

But Joe Rice, a candidate for the president of Harford’s Student Government Association, sided with LaCalle.

“We have had some problems with students taking advantage of the system. It’s not uncommon to find cigarette butts in areas that are not designated for smoking,” said Rice, 19 of Aberdeen.

LaCalle said he often sees students smoking in nondesignated areas.

“I remind them there is no smoking on campus, and they always put it out,” he said.

Harford students found smoking in nondesignated areas by campus security are first issued a warning. A second offense carries a $50 fine, according to LaCalle.

mplum@baltimoreexaminer.com