The smoking bans on university and college campuses - Research Paper Example

Positive Influences of Smoking Bans November 25, Section # Positive Influences of Smoking Bans In this information-filled age, beliefs about smoking have been reconsidered and adjusted as new truths are made known. What was once a normal, allegedly carefree pastime has become a deadly addiction, one that effects not just smokers themselves, but those who are subjected to secondhand smoke. As a result of the evidence that smoking is potentially lethal, even to the individuals that choose not to smoke, many public and private junior colleges and universities have taken the initiative to ban smoking on their campuses, both indoors and out in the open air.

While these smoking bans are beneficial to smokers, the bans are primarily being undergone to protect the rights and ensure the health of those exposed to secondhand smoke. Many smokers fight for their rights to smoke in public with the argument that “smokers and nonsmokers alike have to learn to share their space” (Smith, 2012). However, this stance is riddled with holes, the largest being that, by being forced to share space, people who choose not to smoke are still being subjected to the toxins that smokers insist on.

Nonsmokers are not given the opportunity to be in public smoke-free environments because the smoke does not stay in one place but wafts in all directions, leaving nonsmokers with very little choice in the way of clean air. As such, these smoking bans on university campuses, and in other public locations, seek to protect the rights, and the health, of nonsmokers (Fortin, 2007). They are being put in harm’s way when someone else decides to light up a cigarette, a choice that nonsmokers seldom have a say in.

These bans will give nonsmokers the protection that their health requires. Similarly, “comprehensive smoking bans can reduce secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmokers” (CDC, 2007). Secondhand smoke has proven to be more dangerous than the smoke inhaled through a cigarette. This is due to the fact that filters in cigarettes remove the most deadly toxins as smokers inhale, thereby allowing them to not inhale all of the toxins. Those exposed to secondhand smoke do not get the benefit of the filters, and are left to to wade through the harsh smoke, toxins and all.

These proposed and active smoking bans protect employees and students from exposure to secondhand smoke on college campuses (ANR, 2012). While smokers are inhaling dangerous toxins themselves, they are leaving behind something much deadlier for those who have made an active decision not to smoke. Essentially, nonsmokers are being punished for the choices made by smokers, and the smoking bans aim to remove the dangers presented to nonsmokers by diminishing the presence of secondhand smoke. Taking into considering the health of both smokers and nonsmokers, the smoking bans set out to improve the health of everyone, which includes protecting nonsmokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke and informing smokers of the risks associated with smoking.

Specialists in the medical field have long since proven that not only does “smoking cause coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States” (CDC, 2012), but also “harms nearly every organ of the body and diminishes a person’s overall health” (NCI, 2012). There are no benefits to smoking; while smokers may find comfort or calmness in smoking, these blissful feelings come at the cost of their health. These changes to one’s health may not happen suddenly, which is why many smokers continue to smoke, believing that they are immune or invincible, but the reality is that every person who inhales smoke, whether from a cigarette or secondhand, risks death with each breath.

By initiating smoking bans, colleges and universities are taking the steps required to leading their students to healthier and longer lives. There are many smokers at these colleges and universities that are against the smoking bans, feeling that the schools have no place in deciding their health. However, it has already been proven that campus smoking bans have significantly reduced student smoking and have changed their attitudes toward smoking regulations (Seo, 2011). Furthermore, these bans have prompted “students who do smoke to seek tobacco treatment” (Steinberg, 2011), as well as bringing to light how important it is to protect those who do not smoke, yet are also subjected to the consequences of smoking.

By banning smoking throughout college and university campuses, not only will nonsmokers’ rights and health be protected, but smokers can also work to improve their own well-being and overall health.ReferencesANR Foundation. (2012, November 15). Colleges and universities. Americans for Nonsmokers Rights. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from http://www.no-smoke.org/goingsmokefree.php?id=447CDC. (2007, July 20). Reduced secondhand smoke exposure after implementation of a comprehensive statewide smoking ban.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5628a2.htmCDC. (2012, November 15). CDC - Fact sheet - Smoking & tobacco use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/Fortin, J. (2007, November 12). Smoke-free college trend growing. CNN Health. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from http://articles.cnn.com/2007-11-12/health/hm.smokefree.campus_1_smoke-free-college-smoking-indoors-cancer-society?

_s=PM:HEALTHNCI. (2011, January 12). Harms of smoking and health benefits of quitting. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/cessationSeo, D. (2011, September 14). Campus smoking ban reduced students smoking, changed attitudes. IU News Room: Indiana University. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/19589.htmlSmith, D. (2012, June 17). Campus smoking bans becoming more common. Star Telegram.

Retrieved November 22, 2012, from http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/06/17/4038786/campus-smoking-bans-becoming-more.htmlSteinberg, S. (2011, September 1). Colleges tell smokers, Youre not welcome here. CNN Health. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/31/smokefree.college.campus/index.html