| << Front page | News | December 3, 2004 |
Smoking around campus buildings must be stopped
To the Editors:
I have recently become quite disturbed by the frequency of Oberlin students smoking in close proximity to College buildings, rendering it impossible to enter said buildings without inhaling a lungful of noxious fumes.
In particular, I am often bothered in my dorm room by smoke coming through my window as a result of individuals smoking right next to East Hall. Even more galling is the tendency of many to smoke right next to the back entrance of King, in close proximity to the sign telling people not to smoke there, as the ventilation system will draw the smoke into the building.
To some extent, this is a health issue. Cigarette smoke contains a myriad of confirmed human carcinogens, including but not limited to nicotine, formaldehyde and benzo[a]pyrene. Furthermore, a fair number of people have respiratory allergies to the smoke. However, health issues aside, this sort of behavior is simply a shoddy, thoughtless way of treating one’s fellow Obies.
The “30-foot rule,” while it is strictly speaking in place, is something that I have never once heard of being enforced. I suggest that the College begin to strictly enforce the ban on smoking within 30 feet of a building and levy substantial fines against repeat offenders. It seems to me that, in this situation, deterrence is necessary to ensure that people behave decently.
–Chris Boyd, College sophomore
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