The recent campus-wide ban on smoking has lit up a world of controversy at Southeastern. Though some see this new policy as a God-send, others believe it is unfair. Some have even gone as far as to say it impedes upon their personal freedoms and rights. Though I am not a smoker and am glad that I will no longer have to worry about the wind blowing smoke in my face when walking behind a smoker, I do empathize with those who feel this is unfair. While I do think on-campus smoking should be more restricted, people should not be prevented from smoking altogether.

Medical research has shown over and over again the negative effects smoking has on one’s health; however, one might argue that what people do to themselves should not be the concern of the school. While this is true, medical research has also shown smoking can have a negative impact on the health of others, even those who do not smoke.

According to WebMD, secondhand smoke has proven to be harmful to those who live, work or even walk within the proximity of a smoker, since “most of the smoke from a burning cigarette doesn’t get sucked down into a smoker’s lungs—it escapes into the air, where it can be inhaled by anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby.” Seeing as the smoke from a cigarette contains dangerous chemicals such as carbon monoxide and benzene, it is understandable that a non-smoker would rejoice at the idea of an all-campus ban on the habit.

However, banning smoking altogether is too harsh on the students and faculty who do smoke. There should be three or four designated smoking areas. The use of these smoking areas should be strictly enforced so smokers will be discouraged from lighting up while in the middle of a big crowd on their way to class or the Student Union. Most importantly, it would decrease the exposure of non-smokers to secondhand health risks. Oh wait, does that sound familiar? Apparently, that was the school’s old smoking policy. In all my days at Southeastern, I had never once seen it enforced.

Smoking is a habit best cast off, but people should be allowed to helm their own choices in life. While I admire the attempt to make the Louisiana campuses a safer place for non-smokers, smokers should be allowed to indulge in their own designated areas. There can be compromise.