Nonsmokers must respect smokers

The campus smoking ban isn’t estimated to have any effect for at least two years, if it even makes it to a definite decision. But as a smoker, the very idea of a campus ban upsets me.

I used to hate cigarettes, but somehow I fell into the bad habit. I’ll quit eventually, but in the mean time I would like to enjoy my cigarettes.

I try to be a courteous smoker on campus. I sit away from groups of nonsmokers or I try to smoke in areas with ashtrays in hopes that a nonsmoker won’t pass by, but it’s unavoidable. The majority of campus doesn’t smoke, and I respect that. But placing limits on where I can enjoy my cigarette OUTSIDE is ridiculous.

I can’t smoke in a bar, or a restaurant, or any building for that matter, and I can’t smoke within 50 feet of doorway. That’s fine. Not everyone wants to be stuffed in a 12 feet by 15 feet room with me while I smoke a cigarette.

But when I’m outside I expect to be able to enjoy my cigarette as I please. Campus not only serves as an educational facility, but also as a home.

Banning smoking on campus, especially around dorms, is like telling the smoking community you can’t smoke in the comfort of your own home.

There is plenty of space outside of the dorms for smokers and nonsmokers to enjoy their air as they like AND be courteous to one another.

Nonsmokers do a lot of complaining, but take no action except to slap a ban on smoking.Nonsmokers should be more proactive about avoiding cigarette smoke if it bothers them that much.

For instance, don’t walk right behind someone if they are smoking. If there is a smoker in the breezeway at the Miller Learning Center, go in the first door you come to instead of walking by them. There are plenty of ways to avoid the smoke.

I can only speak for myself when I say that I will try to be respectful of others while enjoying my daily dose of nicotine.

But it would be nice if the nonsmokers could be respectful of me as well.