Chancellor Jones announced that he might cease the sale of tobacco products this spring at the Wood Center unless he can be convinced otherwise.

Jones, a nonsmoker, said that he felt it was sending the wrong message to be selling cigarettes when the school is instating the statewide Total Health and Wellness program to promote better health among faculty and staff.He said that after a meeting about the health program, he saw the cigarettes for sale at the Wood Center and felt it "wasn't in harmony with the university embracing wellness."

"I am under not illusion that this decision will change anyone's personal choice," Jones said. "We are trying to send a symbolic message that the campus supports wellness as a way of life."

Brian Barker, 22, usually buys his cigarettes at Oak and Keg, but on occasion purchases them from the Wood Center.He says that he understands the symbolic message, but still would not change his habits if the Wood Center quit selling cigarettes.

About 45 percent of the Wood Center's sundry sales, which are the sales of things at the counter such as shampoo and candy, are tobacco products that add up to a grand total of about $14,000 in net profit every year.The Wood Center sells about 10,000 packs of cigarettes and 1,300 containers of chew in a year. This money contributes to the cost of hiring student staff and Wood Center programs.

As of this fiscal year, the money is already spent. Jeri Maxwell, Associate Director of operations at the Wood Center says it would be very difficult to make up for the large dent that removing cigarette sales would put in the budget.She hopes that if the chancellor does decide to ban cigarette sales, he gives the Wood Center at least two-year's notice so that they can plan for it. Maxwell also has concerns about smokers who may be desperate for cigarettes.She notes that smoking is an addiction and that students may take extreme measures to get cigarettes such as skipping class to buy cigarettes or a black market of cigarette sellers that won't be checking IDs.

Jones insists the financial issue is beside the point and selling cigarettes is a symbol for the university, claiming continuing to sell cigarettes for financial reasons is like the university "selling its soul for whatever percent of sundry sales."He says that he is looking forward to hearing feedback from faculty, staff and students on the issue, but ultimately the decision is his to make, despite what feedback he receives.

The student government drafted a referendum that students can vote on during the upcoming elections, which asks students "Should the Wood Center continue to sell tobacco products?"Once these results are collected, they will make a statement regarding what the student body has told them.

"I could have quietly elected to make cigarettes disappear over the summer when no one would have said anything," Jones said, "but I considered that this is an academic environment and there ought to be discussion over it."

Jeff Stepp, vice president of Staff Council poses the question "Who is the "we" that thinks it looks bad.I've only heard one voice that says it looks bad."

Jones sent out a memo to ASUAF, faculty, and staff that cited an "informal straw vote" at a staff council meeting that unanimously agreed to cease sales of tobacco products.The staff council led by president, Maya Salganek responded immediately, saying that the staff council did not unanimously agree to anything and still needed time and research to formulate an opinion.

Smokers outside the Wood Center, who will be affected by the decision, took a candid approach regarding their opinion.

"That's crap!" exclaimed one underage smoker outside the Wood Center upon hearing of the possibility of banned cigarette sales.

Vanessa Wolf, 21, an activist on the rights of smokers, was outraged at the university's persecution of smokers."We're not hurting anyone.Your two seconds of being exposed to my smoke when you leave the building is not going to kill you!"

In response to the health concerns cited for the end of tobacco sales she said, "Sure, smoking is bad for you, but we're also getting a lot more healthy fresh air than other people, too.People complain about us giving ourselves lung cancer out here, but the people at The Pub can freely drink where it's nice and warm and give themselves sclerosis of the liver."

Jones has considered the argument that The Pub no longer sell alcohol, but he said unlike smoking, pub patrons can drink responsibly."By selling it there it keeps customers off the street in automobiles."