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ISSUE 835 FEBRUARY 26 2007
CARDIFF’S STUDENT WEEKLY free word - EST. 1972
Necrophilia, hiccups, ducks...
S D R A W A L E B O N THE IG HIT CARDIFF
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NO SMOKE
WITHOUT FIRE Helen Thompson News Editor
PHOTO: MATT HORWOOD
After fierce debate at the AGM students vote not to spend around £50,000 on outdoor smoking facilities
THE UNION WILL not spend any money providing outdoor shelters for smokers after the national smoking ban comes into force on April 2. The decision was made by the voters at last Wednesday’s Annual General Meeting and met opposition from a small number of students. Two motions were put forward for discussion in anticipation of the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces. The first proposed that smoking should not be allowed on Union premises, including all outside areas such as balconies and steps, and the second proposed that provisions, such as a shelter, should be made for smokers. Voters chose to discuss the first motion in an overwhelming majority and it was clear from the outset that most students were against the idea of spending any money on providing facilities for smokers. It is likely that the estimated £50,000 it would cost to provide shelters, extra barriers on the balconies and increased security put a number of voters of the idea. This figure was given by senior management staff of the
Union who have been researching costs for a number of months. After a show of hands indicated that only the first proposal would be discussed, angry students took the floor to argue that facilities should not be dismissed until the consequences of the ban could be taken into account. It is unknown whether the Union would lose revenue if outdoor smoking facilities were not provided. Opposition to the motion also came from came from smokers who believed they should not have to leave the Union steps to have a cigarette just because AGM had ruled on it. They claimed that the motion would impose harsher terms on smokers than the law. One objector, Rob Wilkinson, said “This is just another step towards a nanny state, telling you what you can and can’t do. If it is only illegal to smoke in enclosed spaces, students should be allowed to smoke on the steps and balconies.” After more discussion voters agreed that the clauses saying smoking would not be permitted on the Union steps should be taken out. It will now be up to the law, which Continued on page seven
PLUS: ALL THE NEWS FROM LAST WEEK’S AGM: NEWS, PAGE SEVEN