Shellie Adams (The Beacon)
By Shellie Adams, Staff Commentary
Do you smoke? Do you know someone who smokes? Did you know that tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S.?
I'm not trying to make you feel bad if you smoke or if you know someone who smokes, but I am trying to make you think about the seriousness of smoking. Tobacco use causes nine out of 10 lung cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Association. Knowing these facts, the smoking rule at University of Portland needs an extreme makeover.
My first day of class at UP I saw someone smoking and I remember thinking, "Isn't there a no smoking rule on campus?" Many universities like Oregon State University and University of Oregon are enacting smoke-free policies, so I was taken aback that UP allows smoking.
I couldn't believe a university that censors the movies students watch to make sure they are appropriate would allow students to smoke, (every movie CPB plays comes from a list of movies that are approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). The University ensures we are watching appropriate movies but is fine with peoples' lives being endangered from secondhand smoke? That doesn't make sense.
I do realize that the University has tried to enforce a smoking ban. Two years ago, the administration attempted to enact a campus-wide smoking ban but there was opposition from some students and staff. It was put to a vote and the ASUP Senate passed a resolution against it. I appreciate the effort but this issue is something that will only get worse with time. Something needs to be done, even if it means upsetting some students and staff.
Don't get me wrong – I have nothing against people who smoke. Smoking is not a good choice by any means, but everyone is entitled to make their own decisions.
However, I don't agree with endangering other peoples' lives. Every time someone smokes a cigarette around other people, another person's life is shortened because of it. Is that right? Is that fair?
There have been arguments that by banning smoking on campus, smokers are bing denied their rights. But do people have the right to endanger other peoples' lives? Other people say that even if we had a smoking ban people would still smoke in an underground fashion. However, I think a smoking ban would give students a stronger incentive to quit. Student won't want to go off campus to smoke, and if a ban is enforced students won't thinking smoking is worth breaking the rules, or venturing off campus, just to smoke.
Having a smoking ban would make it much less convenient for people to smoke for fun on campus. College is a stressful time and many students smoke hookah, cigarettes and even cigars to relieve stress. With a ban in effect, students will be forced to find other ways to relieve stress.
Also, many students use hookah, cigarettes and cigars as a way to socialize. There are better ways to meet people and have a good time rather than increasing your chance of cancer. There are plenty of events on campus like Pilots After Dark, CPB movies, going off campus to a movie or grabbing some coffee with friends. These are much better pasttimes than smoking.
Being allergic to smoke does play a role in my opinions about smoking, but I also feel bad for the other people who make the choice not to smoke and yet their lives are endangered because they have to walk through a pack of people smoking to get to class.
You could make the argument that it isn't fair for either side, but only one side is the smart way to go. We attend a university that is focused on going green, recycling and sustainability. That's why I am so disappointed in our school. Community colleges all over Oregon have no smoking rules but a private university will let people smoke? As a student attending a prestigious Catholic university with high standards and values, I expected more.
