Re: Smoking - boys and adults
(no name) ((no email))
Sun, 3 Jan 1999 15:26:02 -0600
Bryant Ward <Pack335@POBOX.COM> wrote:
>BSA policy, as stated in the "Guide to Safe Scouting" is no
>smoking at BSA activities.
No, BSA policy, as stated from the Guide to Safe Scouting, is that
Scouters MAY smoke during Scouting activities, but they are
discouraged from doing so in the prescense of youth members.
Auntie Beans (Wendy Howland) posted earlier the exact line, but
here it is again from the 1998 version of the Guide to Safe
Scouting (which didn't change the wording from the 1997 edition
I've got here):
**may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity
involving youth participants.**
The 1998 Safe Guide to Scouting includes another paragraph which
further explains that Scouting areas are considered "no smoking
areas" but since it wasn't boldfaced, it's NOT considered as part
of the BSA's official policy. (Thanks, Auntie!)
The policy was written in the way it was to give YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL
the final say on whether or not they will be MORE restrictive or
not in implementing this policy. Since the Guide is DESIGNED for a
local Council to supplement and add to those guidelines with their
OWN localized policies, I wouldn't be surprised that Councils in
non-tobacco growing states would add language similar to this:
"In the Cardinal Council, while we understand the personal choice
of those Scouters to smoke cigars and cigarettes, **we DO NOT ALLOW
registered Scouters to smoke or carry cigarette/cigar promotional
items during ANY activity or event in which a Local Tour Permit was
issued, during any unit meeting or activity, nor during any
activity under the supervision of this Council or the National
Council, Boy Scouts of America.**
"Furthermore, **cigar and cigarette possession or purchase by
minors under the age of 19 is an illegal act under state law.**
Scouters will exercise due diligence in bringing to the attention
of parents or guardians of Scouts those instances in which Scouts
are seen smoking. Scouters should not ask for cigarettes nor
cigars to be handed to them but rather to excuse the youth members
to return to their homes."
(again, for those just joining us, ** means ** that is it is
boldface type and is considered policy at that level)
While the intent in the Guide is to provide a healthy environment
for Scouts and Scouters, it leaves it up to each local Council (and
to each UNIT!!) the ability to write their own "policy" which runs
consistantly with National policy.
Just because it says "MAY", as some Scouters have explained here,
does not mean "WILL NOT". While the intent is there, SOME Councils
may choose to allow Scouters (and older Scouts) to smoke in
"smoking areas" during activities. It's stupid, smoking is, but
people can say the same thing about coffee drinking too!!
Settummanque!
(c) 1998 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") blkeagle@mninter.net
http://mninter.net/~blkeagle Burnsville, MN 55306-7130 (612) 435-3085
privately at kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@server.kaiserslautern.army.mil
---- FORWARD in service to youth ----
