Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Opinions

As of Aug. 28, 2007, the nonsmoking ban was moved into Lakeland's pub
in hopes that more students will be able to participate in campus
activities.

The pub is the largest venue for entertainment on this
campus, and provides a lot of fun activities for students and faculty
to attend. Our student activities coordinators bring in many well known
performers that everyone enjoys going to see. Many students, though,
are not able to attend these events because of cigarette smoke. Students with asthma, heart
problems, or allergies to smoke will have reactions within
small distances of it. Even many students who do not have health problems
say they are irritated by smoking or that they just don't like smelling
like cigarettes.

"I hate smoking. I get a headache when I'm around
people smoking," says Jackie Love, a freshman at Lakeland.
Smoking in public places largely affects more people than just the smoker. Andy
Carstens, a sophomore, says, "The pub is for everybody. People shouldn't have
to be around smoke when they want to have fun in there."

Mallory Gorski, a junior and a campus ambassador, says
that she avoids bringing campus visitors through the pub because of how
thick the smoke smell is in there. She believes that smoking deters
students from attending events in the pub.

Second-hand smoke contains at least 250 known toxins,
including more than 50 that can cause cancer. There is no
risk-free level of exposure to second hand smoke. Exposure to second-hand smoke
increases non-smokers risk for heart disease by 25-30 percent,
and their risk for lung cancer is increased by 20-30
percent. (www.cdc.gov ) Cigarette smoke can also
permeate the hair, clothing, and other surfaces. (www.cancer.org
)
Talia Proffit, director of student activities states, "I feel that this
is a very positive change and that many students are enjoying the

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools