Students at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee may need to leave campus to smoke if a proposed smoking ban reaches its final phase.

The ban proposed last year by the UWM Physical Environment Committee outlined a four phase smoke cessation program. Phases one through three are already initiated, but the committee met obstacles at the last phase.

Julia Bonner of Norris Health Center has worked with the committee in the past. She said problems with how the policy would be enforced have held back the final implementation.

In a Faculty Senate meeting in March 2006, the potential cost of enforcing such a ban initially delayed the implication of the new policy. The Campus Police Department later agreed to enforce the policy, yet many questions still remained.

In the past, police have enforced smoking policies as complaints were called in said Lt. James Learman of the university police. “Usually once the officials shows up and talks to them, people are very cooperative,” Learman said.

Learman said enforcement of a campus-wide smoking ban could be similar to the ban on skateboarding on campus. The first time, they warn the skateboarder and record the warning. Then the second time they check to see if the person is a repeat offender. However, members of the committee are looking for more uniform enforcement.

Wisconsin State Employees Union Local 82 is also concerned about enforcement. They are concerned that union workers, such as maintenance and janitorial staff, may be penalized while faculty members avoid punishment, according to meeting notes.

Bonner said the chancellor will be meeting with the Physical Environment Committee later this fall to discuss the policy, but she is unsure about the actual date. The Legal Affairs Department will also be examining the policy and attempting to create a fair method of enforcement.

The changes come after more than a year and a half of hard work on the policy. During phase one, members of the committee and Norris Health Center shared information with other university organizations on the health implications regarding second-hand smoke.

Phase two began April 1, 2006 and banned the smoking and sale of tobacco products in the Union and was followed by 30-foot smoke-free zones around building entrances, windows and ventilation units to all buildings on campus.

The 30-foot smoke free zone included the covered area outside the dorms and the smoking terrace by the Sandburg Hall’s North Tower. When it got cold out in the winter, students didn’t always follow the 30-foot policy said Amanda Gregory, main desk clerk and former Sandburg resident.

The final phase was meant to be implemented July 1, entirely eliminating smoking on campus, but ran into difficulties regarding the enforcement.

Alverno College and UW-Baraboo are currently completely smoke-free, and most colleges across the state have banned smoking indoors.

--Stephanie Brien contributed to this article

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