Boise State soon to be smoke free

We have seen several different articles recently about the status of smoking on campus. Boise State University is thinking about becoming a smoke-free campus and it looks to me like it’s going to happen.

It is beyond me why people smoke in the first place. With all we know about the joys of smoking I can’t imagine what prompts people to light the first one up. However, it is totally up to you and if you want to smoke, it’s not my job to stop you. I don’t smoke and I have no desire to smell your smoke.

In a country of freedom of choice, smokers have the freedom to smoke and the rest of us have the freedom to smoke-free air. So how do we all get along? Currently the rule on campus is not to smoke within 30 feet of any building entrances. Some people are very considerate of this and do a good job by walking away from buildings before they light up. Others, however, are amazing in their audacity to light up on the steps to the library, forcing everyone going in and out to pass through a cloud of smoke. The problem here is two-fold: first, the people who are not following the rules are not being considerate of everyone else. Second, who is supposed to be enforcing these rules on campus? We aren’t enforcing them now, so what is going to change?

If the Associated Students of Boise State University Senate is going to pass a resolution in support of this new ban it is going to have to work with the administration to come up with a way of enforcing it. Currently the self-policing policy is not working.

The real solution is easy to find within the student body. As a group of reasonable adults, we should be able to coexist with one another and have peaceable interactions. In this matter and in all other matters of concern on campus, have respect for those around you and be courteous. It’s not hard and it can make the difference.

The BSU Smokefree Campus Initiative states:

86 percent of Boise State students agree that universities should provide a smokefree environment for students. Boise State University provides students and

employees access to a full range of nicotine replacement therapies and smoking cessation classes, programs and services.

KRIS DONNER
Opinion Writer

Related Posts:

1. Boise State to go smoke-free
2. Boise State begins discussion of smoke-free campus
3. Smoked Out! The Boise State campus will soon be smoke free
4. Butts Out: Smoke-free campus policy to go into effect despite protest
5. Smoke-free BSU is a healthy choice