I am writing to voice my frustration that smoking is still allowed at N.C. State University.  N.C. State has never taken this issue seriously and as a student, I am quite disappointed.  The 15 feet distance from building smoking requirement is only adhered to when the weather is nice and never enforced.  The University is so quick and eager to ban illegal drugs and institute high penalties for their use, but throws smoking under the bus.  

This complete ban on smoking suggestion is not a radical move, it is the right move and it is the right time.  Other institutions in Raleigh have already made this a reality.  The two largest hospitals in Raleigh, Rex and WakeMed, do not allow any smoking anywhere on their property.  Both hospitals have thousands of employees and WakeMed’s Raleigh campus has at least 195,000 sq. ft.  We cannot call ourselves a healthy university while our students hold their breath behind smokers in the Free Expression Tunnel on the way to class.  We cannot call ourselves a lively campus when we have students slowly killing themselves and others on our grounds.  We cannot call ourselves a beautiful campus when our view is clouded by smoke.

Why are we letting a quick and easy way to distinguish both our university and ourselves by banning smoking slip away?  Why are we bending over backward to accommodate the minute percentage of students at this university that smoke?  Why are we still allowing smoking for the 10 percent of the student body while the other 90 percent holds their breath, cough and die slowly when around smokers?  Why do we have to wait for other universities around the country to take the lead on this endeavor?  Why not us, why not now?

Imagine what a smoke free campus would look like: no more having to hold your breath while walking to your dorm in the tunnels. No more having to move because a smoker sits down next to you. No more coughing because inconsiderate people blew smoke in your face.  It would allow our university to establish itself as one of the healthiest universities in the country, not by words, but by actions.  It would be an effective recruitment tool for highly qualified students and professors.  Most importantly, a smoke free campus would mean a healthier Wolfpack.

Timur Ender

senior, criminology