Campuswide smoke ban follows flawless logic

Publication Date: 10/02/2007

In the Sept. 19 edition of The Exponent, I was elated to read a story concerning the likelihood of the passage of a campuswide smoking ban ("Smoke-free campus?"). Although the majority of Purdue students are over the age of 18 and are therefore adults capable of making their own choices, I feel the right to decide what is best should be left to the administrators of Purdue University.

Some of you may argue that a smoking ban will not remove all airborne toxins, such as car exhaust, radon, pesticides, fuel vapors, paints and solvents, lead, toluene, aerosol spray or asbestos. But I assure you, these are all caused by secondhand smoke. Any evidence to the contrary is purely a myth of convenience, much like the theory of evolution, global warming and plate tectonics.

Also, some of you may argue that enacting a campuswide smoking ban may cause smokers to gather across the street from University property to light up, thereby increasing pedestrian congestion. This may become especially bad in areas such as Chauncey Hill. I can only respond, how is that our problem? In traditional elitist fashion, we have an inalienable right to shove our woes onto the innocent and undeserving without so much as an apology to those affected.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the passage of a campuswide smoking ban is the most logical, easily enforceable, non-intrusive, totally necessary and most deserving use of University time and money. Additionally, I am certain that a disturbing number of Purdue students will have to look up the word "satire."

Matthew Bradley

Senior, School of Management