Smoking ban alienates students

[Diamanto]

http://arbiteronline.com/2010/03/07/smoking-ban-alienates-students/

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, almost 30 percent of college students smoke cigarettes. Boise State University is severely alienating more than one fourth of its student body with its campus-wide smoking ban. This ban is a fool-hardy attempt to placate a few boisterous complaints.

BSU is not alone in its effort to eliminate smoking on campus. The American Nonsmoker’s Rights Foundation estimates there are at least 381 completely smoke-free college campuses in the United States as of January. There are also 78 colleges that are smoke free, with the exception of a few designated smoking areas.

Although it’s understandable that people don’t want to be bombarded by second-hand smoke, it seems unreasonable that those who are offended couldn’t simply walk away. Or, perhaps, Boise State could create designated smoking areas. It’s fairly ridiculous that one group of students should decide campus policies for all. In a statement released when the policy was enacted, Ferd Schlapper, the executive director of the Health and Wellness Center, said, “Most people, including smokers, understand the harmful effects of tobacco and we want to provide them with health tools and resources to have a tobacco-free lifestyle.”

One would think that forcing people to quit smoking probably isn’t going the best approach to take in creating a healthier campus.

Sophomore and graphic design major, Rachel Hammes said, “It’s a nice thought and it definitely makes the university look good, but it doesn’t really hurt anyone when people smoke but the smokers themselves. I could see how someone would find people smoking on campus annoying, but I find it annoying when guys walk around with their pants around their ankles, that doesn’t mean we should ban that too.”

It’s debatable that the campus-wide smoking ban has done more harm than good. Many students have noted that after the ban took effect, the university removed all cigarette butt trash receptacles, yet people still smoke on campus. Now smokers simply throw their cigarette butts on the ground instead of putting them in the trash. This problem has also translated to the greenbelt. Many students find the river-side walkway to be a convenient spot to light up, resulting in a huge increase of littering. Some students don’t even bother to make it to the greenbelt, which technically is still covered by the smoking ban, and simply continue to smoke on campus — disregarding the ban entirely.

So what can be done about disrespectful and irritated students, while still helping to improve our air? Simple: designated smoking areas. By appointing areas that students can smoke in, away from buildings and high traffic areas, students are allowed to light up, while not bothering their peers. If trash cans are placed within reach of these areas, we could significantly reduce our littering problem. The best part of this solution is that it’s free. Signs simply need to be put up, clearly showing where smoking is acceptable. If a student is sensitive to smoke, or prefers not to smell it, they simply avoid these nooks and crannies on campus.

Not everyone wants to be subjected to second hand smoke, but not everyone wants to be told what they can and can’t do at a public university that they pay big bucks to attend. The solution is simple. A compromise is needed, and fast, before our campus and surrounding areas become overrun with trash.

[slearwig]