Smoking on UNM?

Should UNM become a smoke free campus? I’m sure we all have our own views on what should be done concerning this issue, but here’s my chance to voice (so to speak) my opinion. Sorry to those of you who are tired of hearing about this topic already.

I am not a smoker. For me it is easy to see where individuals who support this ban are coming from. With everything from walking behind some who is smoking to trying to eat outside the SUB while someone is smoking, individuals have a right to be concerned. The risk of secondhand smoke is not something we signed up for while attending UNM. It is known by many that secondhand smoke is a cause of some forms of cancer and diseases. For those of us who have asthma, it is especially difficult when exposed to secondhand smoke. The city of Albuquerque, along with the state of New Mexico, has implemented a smoking ban in 2007. With all this said, it may come to a surprise to many that I do not completely support this ban.

We must take into account those that actually do smoke. Some people smoke, that’s a fact. Most people who do smoke need to do so several times a day. It just so happens that some of these people attend UNM, and smoke on their way to class or after a meal. There is no possible way to stop these individuals from smoking, after all it perfectly legal to smoke (over the age of 18 of course). Many businesses and employers have recognized this need to smoke by some and allow break for those employees who do smoke. So what’s the solution to the smoking ban on campus?
I am not quite sure what, if any, the solution is to this. I do know that a campus wide smoking ban would not solve any problems. Just as we all have a right to clean air, these individuals have a right to smoke. Besides, if a ban was implemented, how would UNM control it? UNM does not have the manpower or the resources to stop every smoker on campus. Even though there is no perfect solution, I do believe some things could come from this awareness.

I believe that smokers should have certain sections on campus where they could smoke whenever they please. I also believe that some areas NEED to be restricted from people smoking. First, the area surrounding the SUB because there is a huge amount of people there trying to enjoy a meal. I also believe that the areas around entrances to buildings. It is a horrible experience to walk out of a building straight into a cloud of smoke.

Although I do not know the perfect solution to this problem, this is what I think could help. A campus wide smoking ban would not work, but that’s just my opinion. What’s yours?

-Reyna