Fascist right with smoking

I’m writing in response of Matthew Morse’s column [“What cigarettes mean to me,” Dec. 5] about the “fascists” who want to institute a no smoking within 20 feet of buildings policy. The way I see it, this policy is being enacted to protect the nonsmokers at N.C. State, not the smokers.

I assume that all college students know that cigarettes are dangerous, and so I assume that smokers are well aware of the risks they are taking. I have chosen to not take those risks.

As an extension of that, I want to avoid second-hand smoke. That’s impossible when people are smoking right by the doors of my classroom buildings. So those “fascists” realize that you’ve made your choice about cigarettes and are trying to protect me from your choice.

Erin WissinkSenior, biology and history

Smoking column right on

Matt,

I couldn’t agree with you more[“What cigarettes mean to me,” Dec. 5, Matt Morse]. I don’t smoke cigarettes, but I do, on occasion enjoy smoking my pipe out on my front porch, especially on still nights during a stressful week. It has a tremendous relaxing effect. And even though I don’t smoke on campus, when I heard about the new regulation, I was surprised and in strong opposition to it.

I know how much a good smoke mellows me out, and that’s just from the stress of classes or work. For those that choose to smoke, there is also the addiction factor. If students aren’t allowed to smoke on campus (or only in very limited spots), stress levels will continue to increase, resulting in them being less able to pay attention during class and poorer performance on tests and quizzes.

This is not to say that I don’t think there are some areas on campus that should be smoke-free, recessed doorways being the main one. Also, I think that, out of consideration for others, people shouldn’t smoke as they’re walking through tunnels. Don’t put out your cigarette, just postpone that next drag for a couple more steps. But to limit smoking areas to (and perhaps exceeding) 25 feet from ANY building is completely ridiculous, no matter what the proclaimed benefits may be.

P.S. A good cigar is also excellent.

Andrew ShankSenior, mechanical engineering