In 2006 UW-Stevens Point considered a revolutionary measure. The school proposed to expand its smoking ban from campus-owned buildings to all space owned by the university. This, of course, begs the question: Why isn't Madison pursuing a similar measure? After all, isn't UW-Madison known as a highly modern, progressive and liberal campus?
Isn't this city one of the healthiest and most active in the country? Madison and the university are usually at the forefront of revolutionary measures, but they seem to have missed the smoke-free boat this time. Nevertheless, it is not too late to enact such a ban. The university must ban smoking on all campus grounds.
In 1995 the university created a set of smoking regulations that banned the deadly action from any campus-owned or -leased building and vehicle. However, this is no longer enough.
In the same policy, the authors clearly state the dangers of cigarette smoke and the effects it can have on others in enclosed spaces. Yet, cigarette smoke can have equally damaging effects outdoors. In fact, it may even affect more people outdoors because the poisons are free to roam throughout the air and contaminate the lungs of those not even near the culprit.
I, for one, am sick of walking out of any academic building and being confronted by a cloud of noxious fumes ready to terrorize my already fatigued brain. It is even worse when leaving a food establishment on campus. Nothing compliments a latte and a bagel quite like gray ash dust. Mmmmm, tasty.
Granted, there is a rule that bans smoking within 25 feet of a building, but with winter weather and lazy attitudes, who really abides by those regulations anyway? A majority of students on this campus do not smoke. In a society where majority nearly always rules, it is finally time to favor the choices and the health of the majority.
If the university does go completely smoke free, some may argue that current and potential students may avoid attending UW-Madison because they will not be able to enjoy their sin sticks while they learn.
However, I think it would have the opposite effect. On a campus filled with runners and organic food options, going smoke free on all campus grounds would fit in perfectly. Moreover, if students are refusing to attend a school solely because smoking is not allowed, these are probably students we do not want on our campus anyway.
This is not an attempt to eradicate the freedom and rights of smokers. They can find an apartment somewhere off campus to relieve their nicotine withdrawal.
There they can wallow in a haze of their own created toxins. Better yet, they could have smokers' pow-wows, containing as much cigarette smoke as possible in a tiny space and saving the rest of the campus. All of us pay a massive amount of money to walk around this campus. I want to breathe clean air and be healthy while I am here. Smokers should be able to smoke, just not on any UW-Madison grounds.
Emily Houtler is a sophomore majoring in environmental science and math. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
