Tamara Kelly
Staff Writer

While it can be argued that spouting statistics is a waste of time for smokers, it’s difficult to argue with science and statistics, especially when we know they are true. Smoking is bad for health. I question whether smokers really understand the constraints they are placing upon their body.

Trading a lifetime of tomorrows for a five minute break from reality, appears to be a narrow minded choice that may eventually shorten their life. I understand it’s difficult to stop smoking for some people. Although, continuing to smoke and endangering others in the process for the selfish purpose of enjoyment seems to be even worse.

Several colleges around the country have started a smoke free environment for their students and the debate has made its way to our campus. Discussions of how small the designated smoking areas are and the fact that there are only two specific places on campus they are allowed to go also frustrates smokers on campus.

A study implemented in New York during 2004 found enforcing a smoke-free environment reduced second hand smoke air quality by 84 percent. Another statistic from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] is non-smokers that were exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25–30 percent.

The needs of the majority should out way the needs the minority when it comes to health. Making the campus a smoke free environment would be giving back the right to non-smoking students for a healthy campus, especially when secondhand smoke contains about 70 cancer-causing chemicals.

Even if the designated smoking areas are 25 feet away from the buildings it seems that many smokers either choose to defiantly ignore the signs or can’t see them, which I have to admit are difficult to find when looking around the campus.

I’ve noticed that the main entrance by the busses had turned into an un-designated smoking area and having to pass by the billows of nicotine as I walk up the stairs has become a significant problem for non-smoking students. And even smokers have complained about students breaking the school policy and smoking anywhere they wish to go.

If all smokers would abide by the rules, then there wouldn’t be a need for a smoke free campus. Typically when rules continue to be ignored, it can leave the school with no other choice, but to make the entire school a non-smoking campus.

Giving all students’ the right to breath smoke-free air and not have to worry about coming into contact with passive smokers who don’t care enough about their own health or anyone else’s should be the top priority.