The Observer, December 1, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 12
Editorial: Smoking on campus remains a controversial topic for all
Lately, it seems as though smokers have been hearing bad news everywhere they turn. From last year's Clear the Air initiative making Case's Health Science Campus smoke-free to the passing of Issue 5 (essentially making Ohio a smoke-free state), smokers in Ohio are feeling the burn. In recognizing these local happenings, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) recently held an open forum for students and faculty to discuss the issue of smoking on campus. Currently, the university does not permit smoking in its facilities, in or around main entrances and exits of facilities, or in residence halls.
Though some students argued that no changes to the current policies should be made, others voiced opinions that smoking should be banned from campus. While there are valid arguments for each position and no one should be forced to breathe the smoke created by a distasteful habit, it is important to remember that smokers are still people who have rights to use the same air as non-smokers.
If the current policy on smoking should be changed on campus, smoking by all means should not be banned but rather limited. Perhaps the best solution is to reach a compromise between those who are opposed to smoking and those who are simply too addicted to stop. For example, a few areas on campus might be designated smoke-free, or a smoke-free perimeter might be established around the entrances to all buildings and residence halls.
Furthermore, implementing new smoking restrictions on campus may call for more attention and resources than what is even necessary. If limits were placed on smokers, who would be the ones to execute such regulations and what would the consequences be? Would the university use our already rising tuition to employ officers dedicated to ensuring a smoke-free campus or would campus police be burdened with the task? Maybe we should divert our attention to other pressing health issues such as campus security and the stress level of students at Case.
What we really need to focus on is actually getting to the root of the problem. If the goal is truly to benefit the Case community and create a smoke-free environment, then we need to take a deeper look at the problem instead of opting for an immediate solution. More energy should be placed into counseling programs and encouraging smokers to seek the help that they need. Pushing smokers away may make the lives of non-smokers easier but the people who need the most help and support are currently being ignored.
There is no doubt that smoking is harmful to both smokers and nonsmokers and that such a habit should not be encouraged, but in considering the rights and health of everyone involved, a compromise involving both parties is the best solution.
