Smoke from forest fires raging around the San Joaquin Valley earlier this month may have been an irritant and possibly a health threat.

But a more common, daily aroma wafting around campus, at least in certain areas, comes in the form of cigarette smoke.

Fresno State is a “smoke freeâ€Â campus according to the policy adopted in 2003. But this is not literally the case. While smoking is banned inside all campus facilities as well as most outdoor areas, a number of spaces have been set aside as designated smoking areas.

The policy calls for maps to be available to students and employees showing where those designated areas are located. In addition, markers such as signs must clearly designate the locations.

A total of 18 areas are set aside for smoking, ranging from all four sides of Bulldog Stadium to part of the west patio of the University Student Union.

“We are committed to providing a healthy, comfortable and productive environment for students, faculty and staff,” President John D. Welty said in a 2003 press release explaining the smoking policy.

California State University system regulations already ban smoking within 20 feet of buildings, but university presidents can set stricter rules.

The 2003 change in policy came as a result of a recommendation from an eight-member committee of employees and students set up by Welty.

The committee based its decision, in part, on a 1996 U.S. Surgeon General report that found a link between second-hand smoke and lung cancer. That report recommended a simple separation of smokers from non-smokers to prevent this.

Steve Martinez, director of the Environmental Health and Safety department, said the Plant Operations department was responsible for installing signs and setting up the designated smoking spots, including yellow smoke canisters for disposal.

Martinez, who served on the committee that adopted the 2003 policy, said he thought the policy was fair. Although he acknowledged that not everyone may be satisfied, the policy goes a long way in meeting the needs of both smokers and non-smokers.

“My daughter has asthma,â€Â Martinez said. “She doesn’t think there should be any smoking on campus at all.â€Â

One non-smoker, 23-year-old business major Kang Kha, said the smoking policy was dysfunctional.

“People don’t care,â€Â Kha said. “If they want to smoke, they’re going to smoke.â€Â

Accounting major Kim Datrice agreed.

“The problem is nobody enforces [the policy],â€Â Datrice said, “and nobody knows who’s supposed to.â€Â

Datrice also said the smoking areas available were less than ideal.

“They need shade in the summer and protection from the rain in the winter or else people won’t go there to smoke,â€Â Datrice said.

Jonathan Ho, a smoker, said the designated smoking system was problematic.

“I know what the policy is,â€Â Ho said, “but I don’t really know where the little places are. They should be closer. It’s a nice idea, but it doesn’t work.â€Â

Ming Chin, another smoker, concurred. “I hardly ever use the designated smoking areas,â€Â Chin said. “I don’t even know where they are. They’re not very convenient. If I’m going to use the smoking places, they better be close and they better have shade.â€Â

Although some students were vocal with their concerns, Jan Parten, director of the Office of Human Resources, said the university has received few official complaints about the smoking policy since its adoption.

Smoking complaints or other problems or questions regarding the policy should be directed to the Vice President of Administrative Services or Facilities Management.

Besides the general smoking ban outside of a handful of designated areas, the policy also calls for resources to help smokers kick the habit. Resources can be found at the Health Center, California Smokers Health Line and Employee Assistance and Development.