University of Texas in Arlington Goes Smoke-Free

The University of Texas at Arlington is going cold turkey.

Starting Monday, the campus will become completely tobacco-free. Faculty, students, staff and visitors will not be allowed to use any tobacco products on university property. Officials say violators could be subject to disciplinary action.

The policy also prohibits advertising, sale or free sampling of tobacco products. It replaces another policy established in 1991 that banned tobacco use inside buildings, prohibited its use outside within 50 feet of any building and set up outdoor smoking areas.

The American Lung Association's Web site says more than 200 college campuses nationwide have banned tobacco.

Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls went tobacco-free in January 2010. In Central Texas, Alamo Colleges have been tobacco-free since Sept. 1, 2007.

I have mixed feelings about banning smoking on college campuses. One on hand, I despise cigarette smoke. It smells terrible, it sticks to you all day, and makes you feel like you need a bath. It's kind of like loud, bad music or a really disgusting appetizer at a restaurant; unpleasant to be around and even more unpleasant to ingest. South Plains allows smoking and it does get annoying smelling smoke all the time. Also, let's be honest, it's not healthy. I wouldn't be upset if I walked outside and the campus was absent of smoking classmates.

But on the other hand, I think banning it from the entire campus is (excuse my college-kid term) lame. Most of the people in college I know smoke, and enjoy it. I understand people don't want to be exposed to cigarette smoke, and choosing to go to a college campus isn't the same as choosing to go to a bar,  but banning smoking campus wide? I don't think it's necessary. Designate areas for smokers. A courtyard, or something along those lines, that smokers could kick back in between classes. Banning it from campuses is an underhanded effort to keep them from smoking period, and while honest in its intention...well, I mean, it's a free country. You're not going to stop them.

How about a little compromise? It won't hurt anyone...except the smokers, of course. But that's their choice.

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Story taken from the Associated Press