There is a major issue that I have touched on in the past that has still not been examined fully to better meet the needs of all individuals on campus. The problem I am referring to is the blatant disrespect of smokers who insist on puffing away on their drug of choice in every crevice of this campus.

I have written two articles in the past that criticized campus smoking habits and a more recent one about the statewide smoking ban in restaurants. The latter was met with criticisms in Forum where I was publicly called out for being a supposed “hypocrite” for smoking cigarettes with a friend last year and for not making my argument fully clear and concise.

I admit that I used to smoke cigarettes before writing the articles and I successfully quit and have not smoked for quite some time now.

However, I was criticized for being overly critical and not having the authority to speak on the issue since I was once a smoker. On the other hand, I do have the constitutional freedom to speak my mind just as smokers have the unwritten freedom to smoke wherever they want, anytime they want.

I am not asking smokers to give up their habit whatsoever because it is a choice that is ultimately not in my hands to control. However, I do ask that smokers understand that they are disrespecting all nonsmokers who do not want secondhand exposure to the various carcinogens that are in cigarette smoke. Ashley Teatum did an outstanding job resurrecting the issue of smoking in front of St. Thomas while nonsmokers are forced to hold their breath until safely inside.

I also enjoyed reading the Letters to the Editor two weeks ago, especially where Bryan Heinlein proposed the clever acronym COUGH, which means Cut Out Unhealthy Grotesque Habits. I think coughing out loud is an excellent way to express concern for our health. It can also be interpreted as a form of civil disobedience, but on a much smaller level.

Similarly, Tyler Heyne’s piece hit the nail on the head because it outlined the issue spectacularly. It also provides incentive for University officials to act immediately regarding this issue and not to continue putting it on the backburner as they have been for so many years.

Smokers must begin to respect campus regulations that supposedly prohibit smoking in front of St. Thomas Hall and Denaples.

I think it is comical that although a sign on Denaples clearly states that smoking is not permitted within 50 feet of the building, there is an ashtray filled to the brim with cigarette butts directly underneath it.

The 25 feet sign in front of St. Thomas is also worthy of a bumper sticker on Facebook. These instances are so self-contradictory that it makes a mockery out of our institution, and that does not sit well with me.

With all of these examples in mind, I personally believe that a full-fledged smoking ban needs to be put into effect on our campus. If there is a 25 or 50 feet rule enforced, then smokers will be puffing away on the Commons and the smoke will blow into everyone else’s face.

In addition, if designated areas for smoking cigarettes are created, then the smoke will collect in one parcel of air and travel with the wind into crowds of people. Similarly, the location of the designated areas is virtually impossible because in order to be 25 feet away from any building on campus you would have to either be on the Commons or walking in the middle of the streets.

The only probable solution is to ban smoking on campus, set up areas across from Mulberry in a vacant lot for people to light up so the rest of us can move on to bigger and better things.

In closing, consider this example. The University has been pushing for students, faculty, and staff to live healthier lives and exercise. Similarly, workers have done an outstanding job cleaning up the campus and making it look more appealing to visitors and prospective students.

Therefore, should cigarette smoking be allowed on such a beautiful campus that has started to move more toward a healthier lifestyle?

You decide.