There is a constant theme running through American campuses, and society in general, of over-legislation, especially legislating things like common courtesy. We see that with the proposed ban on smoking.

I admit, it’s a little rude to light up in the middle of a tight crowd (though those are actually pretty rare on campus), but that does not mean that smoking should be banned.

The main argument is that everyone has a right to clean air, which leads me to ask when they plan on banning cars from Grand Boulevard. I think I get more damage to my lungs from one crossing of Grand than I do walking around campus, with a few smokers at far distances, all day.

I don’t smoke anymore; I quit for reasons of my own, which don’t involve legislation from the state or university, people telling me that I should quit.

The University News even went so far to say, “Perhaps the walk to the nether regions of campus will encourage smokers to quit.” (“Smoking may go up in smoke,” Feb.8 ). This is not simply about clean air; it’s about one group of people deciding for another that a completely legal habit should be snuffed off.

I think the decision to smoke or not smoke should be left to the individual. There is ubiquitous information out there telling us that smoking is not good for you, and every smoker knows this.

The University won’t be doing any favors by banning smoking; it will basically be saying, “I don’t agree with the decision you just made, so I’m going to unmake it for you.”

On some issues (e.g. faith, morals and education), the University has every right, as a Catholic institute, to decide what behavior is acceptable and what isn’t . just not this time.

Let the smokers decide if they want to smoke or not.

Sean MacLennan
Senior, College of Arts and Sciences