First four year college to completely ban smoking?

I have a read an article about the four year college Boise State.  Many people are debating on the smoking issue and at this college their head of health services would like to ban it completely.  I think that they should ban this from many places because it's uncomfortable for a lot of people.  Some people may think they are having their rights taken away but sometimes smoking around others isn't polite.  Also, some people are allergic.  Banning smoking will make people healthier and maybe even concentrate on other things.  Please read the article and tell me what you think!

Comments

[Lani]

Hi Alexandra,

I happen to think banning smoking is a great idea since “smoking and second-hand smoke are the country’s most preventable causes of death today, causing more than 440,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” This quote came from a news release by the Cleveland Clinic (http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3800/3831.asp?index=12256&src=news&ref=3800/3831.asp?index=12256), a very large health system in Cleveland, near where I live. Not only are their buildings all smoke free, all their campuses are too! So you won’t find people smoking just outside the doors.

I always felt that teaching in a smoke free environment was a perk not appreciated by many teachers! But others feel that banning smoking is an infringement on individual rights. Do you think businesses and government have the right to ban certain activities if they are known to be harmful?

Best,
Lani

[tincher]

I am in total agreement that smoking in certain public places should be banned. It is so much nicer to eat out without having to smell cigarette smoke. However, I think it would very difficult to ban smoking in every area of a college campus. What do you think? Would people be sneaking to smoke on campus? Would there be a lot of time spent on chasing smokers?

Tincher

[graciela]

I also agree with you that they should ban smoking, and other things that are harmful for your body.What else is bad?