Smoking ban debate can be resolved with compromise
(Published
in The Daily Lobo, November 16, 2007)
I
know many people must be sick and tired of hearing about the possible
smoking ban on campus, but I have a few last thoughts to make.
First of all, I am not a smoker, but I think it would be ridiculous
to try to ban smoking on campus. I used to work in a restaurant where
many people smoked, and they would go crazy if they didn’t get
their smoke break. How would smokers react if they weren’t able
to smoke in between classes?
I think the idea is unrealistic. Students would still find ways to get
their smoke fix whether it’s hiding behind a tree or building
at night or some other drastic measure. Smoking will be present on campus
whether the ban is enforced or not.
For the people who absolutely can’t stand smoke, or for people
who have asthma, what about a compromise? The best place to ban smoking
would be around the SUB area where many people eat outside. That would
be realistic.
In the meantime, let smokers do what they need to do. They should be
respectful and mature enough to know not to blow smoke near anyone else.
And if you’re walking behind someone who’s smoking and they
don’t see you, simply just move out of the way if it’s too
difficult to handle.
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