Students surprised by smoke-free UvA area: “Quit? No, no, no”
The new smoke-free zone around the UvA completely surprises the ten smoking students on the corner of Nieuwe Achtergracht and Roetersstraat on Friday afternoon. Few expect to follow the new policy. “This cigarette in this spot, that’s my relaxation moment.”
About ten chatting students are smoking what could be their last cigarette on the corner of Nieuwe Achtergracht and Roetersstraat this sunny Friday afternoon. “One cigarette; in the sun,” says anthropology student Alex (21) cheerfully. “That’s allowed here, right?” However, since early September, a smoke-free zone has been in effect across a large area around the UvA. Alex—and none of the smokers gave their last names—along with his friends, hadn’t noticed that just yet.
At the initiative of the neighborhood, the municipality has laid blue pavement tiles marked “smoke-free” throughout the area between Weesperstraat, Sarphatistraat, and Plantage Muidergracht. Smoking is now prohibited at the popular spot on Roetersstraat, just around the corner from REC-A. The sidewalks in front of the cafés Kriterion and De Krater, as well as the street next to REC-V (Valckenierstraat), have also been made smoke-free during the day.
Relaxation moment
Almost none of the smokers on Friday afternoon are aware of the new policy. “What?” says Alex, who is handed a lighter by his classmate Amy (20). “They can’t do that! Where are we supposed to go then?” he asks, surprised. “We’re completely used to this spot now.” His friend Amy doesn’t understand either. She points to the doors of REC-A, where nearly thirty students are smoking next to three different signs that read “No smoking, please.” “We’re being considerate by not puffing right in front of the entrance.”
The new anti-smoking policy in the area around the UvA will not be enforced by the police or BOAs. “It’s up to local residents to remind the students,” said initiator and neighbor Michel van Wijk this summer.
That would be terrible for the really relaxed Stileos (19). The Greek student specifically doesn’t smoke on campus because UvA staff always approach him there. “I don’t want people busting my balls while I’m trying to relax. And soon it will be the same here, even around the corner.” The shag-smoking student calmly gets up from a bench. “This cigarette in this spot is exactly my relaxation moment. A little break from my studies.”
Fines
Smoking on campus has been a major problem for the UvA since 2022. The NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) issued a €1,500 fine to the UvA last year. According to the law, smoking on a campus is prohibited, and the university is responsible for enforcing this. Since the smoking ban in 2022, the UvA has received nearly €4,000 in fines in total. Both the neighborhood and the university are also frustrated with the cigarette butts scattered around the area.
Enforcement, however, has already cost the UvA more than €600,000, a spokesperson told Folia earlier. The warning signs that have been put up do not seem to work. Chinese student Jason (21)—with a cigarette smoldering in his right hand—finds it antisocial that so many students are still puffing on campus. “That’s not okay towards your university,” he says indignantly.
A step too far
Going to the end of Roetersstraat to smoke, crossing the Plantage Muidergracht (where smoking is allowed), is, however, a step too far for friends Jason and Stileos. “I don’t have time to walk that far during my break,” says Stileos, taking a quick last drag. “Let students smoke at the corner of Nieuwe Achtergracht instead,” Jason says thoughtfully, exhaling his smoke. “If they kick us out here too, we might as well just stay on campus.”
Addressing him about it would work to get him to leave his sunny smoking spot, says Alex politely. “I’ll walk down the street, because I understand the neighbours.” But, Amy adds a bit sad, lately they hardly smoke on the corner at all. “We’re smoking more often under the bridge on Roeterseiland. There you’re sheltered from the rain.” After about fifteen minutes, the smokers almost in unison stub out their cigarettes to head back to class. Do they consider quitting then? “No, no, no,” Jason says without hesitation, also putting out his cigarette. “Maybe I’ll stand across the street, is that allowed?”
