The idea of turning City College into a tobacco-free campus was one of the many topics discussed during the Associated Student Senate meeting on Friday.

Kim Homer Vagadori, coordinator of the state-funded program California Youth Advocacy Network, has been visiting city colleges and universities around the west coast. Her goal is to promote and establish a healthier environment through the creation of a non-smoking policy. The senate is not sure that’s the way to go.

“Trying to enforce this [policy] would be nearly impossible,” said Zuma Vallejo-Howard, associated student senate vice president of operations and finances.

“I don’t think this is a right that should be taken away from students,” said Ruby Limón, associated student senate president. “Smoking is a decision that should be made by oneself, not by the school.”

If the school was to approve the policy, and give citations to all those who are caught smoking, a Santa Barbara Police Officer would have to be hired to work on campus.

“This will not only cost us a lot of money, it would also bring new problems we really don’t need,” Limón said.

Nevertheless, there are students who don’t follow the rules and smoke where it is not allowed. There are 15 well-distributed smoking designated areas the school offers.

“I don’t think giving tickets to those who break the rules is the right way of solving this issue,” Limón said. “We are all adults and we should behave as such.”

The senate also decided to attend the March In March event March 14, which is a rally where California students meet in Sacramento to make their voice heard to the state legislators.

“This is a chance for students and student representatives to voice our opinion with the current system specifically, including budget cuts in the California community colleges,” said Jeffrey Englert, associated student senate vice president of external affairs.

“There was an enormous amount of classes that had to be closed this semester,” Limón said. “This ruined the plans of those who needed certain classes to transfer. We need to do something about it.”

“[The Legislators] need to know how powerful students are, and that they won’t be able to get away from the decisions they make without hearing feedback and concerns from us,” Englert said.

The senate is also going to have a Coffee With Senators event where they will give out free coffee and bagels from 9 to 11 a.m. today at the Campus Center—Room 223.

“I think this event will not only raise awareness of Student Government around campus, but also help to inform the students of what we are doing in order to fight for them, and their rights,” Englert said.