Smoking on campus: Ban all cigarettes on campus

By Anthony Jauregui

Staff Writer

  How many times have you had a cloud of cigarette smoke blown into your face around campus? Were you outside your classroom waiting for class to start? Or were you in a designated area sitting on a bench?  Either way, secondhand smoke is infecting our air and lungs.

  This year, all campuses in the University of California system banned smoking.

  Some individuals may think that the smoking ban does not affect them directly. However, many universities are contemplating banning smoking on their campuses as well. California State University, Bakersfield could very well be next.

  Bans on smoking have been implemented all over the country and have seen positive results.

  According a report released by the Institute of Medicine, “secondhand smoke significantly increased the risk of a heart attack among both smokers and nonsmokers.”

  The report goes on to say that, “Bans on smoking in places like restaurants, offices and public buildings reduce cases of heart attacks and heart disease.”

  There are no doubts that secondhand smoke is harmful to everyone, but why is there still a backlash from people opposing its ban on campuses? Smokers do have a right to do whatever they want, but the fact of the matter is that they are the minority and we should protect the majority of people.

  It is wrong to limit the rights of people, but what if the ban ultimately helped smokers and nonsmokers alike?

  Yes, individuals who smoke would be upset if a ban were to be put into effect, but at least they would produce less smoke for others to inhale while potentially lowering the risk of secondhand smoke as well.

  There are already designated smoking areas on campus, but they’re too close to entrances, buildings and many pathways that people walk each day.

  “Honestly man, the smell just stinks. That’s probably the worst thing,” said Mike Huerta, a senior anthropology major.

  The worst part of being a nonsmoker is having the scent of other people’s smoke on your clothes

  You are forced to carry the scent around all day and ultimately take it home to your family, pets and furniture.

  “I think [the ban] is good for people who don’t smoke,” said Kayl Frayre, a senior who is double majoring in theatre and political science

  “It’s better to not expose [nonsmokers] to anything. I know people whoever had lung cancer and all sorts of stuff and it’s better to keep it away from people who don’t want to do it.”

 We’ve all seen the consequences of smoking. Ailments can range from cancer to emphysema.

  Smoking should be banned at CSUB to protect the majority of students who do not choose to smoke as well as preserve the air quality for future residents of Bakersfield and this university.