UAM Kicks Butt, Cigarette Butts

Commentary Editor

 

      No more smoke clouds nor pretending to gag because someone lit up beside me. You ask am I happy the campus is not only a smoke-free but tobacco free environment? I simply respond with a yes. On September 1, the University of Arkansas at Monticello began its journey of providing the UAM family with a healthier environment.

   Now I know there are a lot of unhappy campers who may feel the University has infringed upon their right to personal choice. Does your right exclude the rights of every nonsmoker on campus? Should we (that’s right, I do not smoke) have to suffer a moment longer because of YOUR unhealthy habit? I am not criticizing smokers. I just don’t recommend smoking, but hey, neither does the Surgeon General.

   According to the American Lung Association, about 130 schools now have campus-wide bans and another 500 prohibit the use of tobacco in residential housing.

   If we began to look at the numbers we will see the importance of a smoke-free campus. The American Lung Association said every year approximately 3,400 people die from lung cancer and 46,000 die from heart diseases all resulting from exposure to secondhand smoke.

   State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues reported in 2006 one in five (19.2 percent) college students smoke. Most smokers are “social smokers,” only smoking in group settings. You can walk outside of the Memorial Classroom Building and see a gang of smokers. I can’t count the times I had to run to the door holding my breath and praying that my clothes would continue to smell like the perfume I put on that morning rather than the dreadful stench of smoke.

   College students are being manipulated by the tobacco industry. Companies reportedly spent $13.11 billion marketing cigarettes often appealing to college students using taste to entice them. Tobacco companies encourage the “less experienced” smokers to become “mature” smokers using different brands to justify their maturity. If you don’t believe it, think about this. Those companies know there is a transition taking place whether going from high school to college or from college to the work field. We all want to establish our maturity and they take advantage of the situation making it look cool or mature to have a “cancer stick” hanging from your mouth. 

   I can empathize with smokers who may think the University’s decision is unfair. After all, some of you have been smoking for years and have tried to quit several times. Sometimes it takes extreme steps like this for people to see where they stand and consider alternate choices. We’ve heard and seen over and over again commercials saying “Stamp Out Smoking” and often times those same campaigns and commercials go unnoticed. Growing up I’ve always heard the saying “Everybody is not going to lie.” If we repeatedly hear smoking is unhealthy and studies continue to prove this fact, there must be some truth in the matter.

   I applaud UAM for taking a stand against tobacco. It shows a love for not only the University, but the students and faculty as well.

   If you want to quit smoking and need information please contact Carrie Selby, Community Tobacco Program coordinator, via e-mail at selbyc@uamont.edu or call 870-367-6234 extension 232.

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©The Voice 2009