Many will tell you, with a tone of disgust, their most unpleasant walks to class occur in or behind a cloud of smoke. I can’t tell you how many times I have walked past a “No Smoking” sign . and a smoker is there as well. The most obvious choice for an obnoxious gesture to show my disapproval is the gentle “black lung” cough – a cough hard enough to say “it’s not just a cold, it’s your emissions.” I’ve given up on gently reminding them of the sign – no one seems to care.
On occasion when I’m feeling bold, I will just stop and stare at them, look at the sign, and keep staring until they acknowledge me. This is ineffective because no one seems to know why I’m staring, obviously.
On the less rare occasion I will just loudly proclaim “It’s soooo rude to be smoking right here,” in passing. Needless to say, none of these are given a warm response, or much of any response. But I wonder what it is that convinces some smokers that a puff-free zone is the place to be, especially when there are many smoking areas on campus.
Some are even labeled “Smoking Zone.” Their counterpart, the “No Smoking” sign, was invented so people with clean lungs like mine don’t have to cease breathing while walking through an area. More importantly, these signs were put up to promote the general health and safety of everyone.
Moreover, where else should the health and safety of students be considered more than in their own homes? This is why residence halls are to be smoke free and have a 25-foot smokeless barrier surrounding them.
Nothing is more annoying than opening your window on a nice spring day only to discover that keeping it open will fill your entire room with smoke. At this rate, someone might as well be smoking in your room.
Although signs are clearly posted and “No Smoking” trash cans are placed 25 feet away, it seems a few inconsiderate smokers somehow made it to the residence area of campus as well.
And on a walk from the doors of Hibbard to the front door of Katherine Thomas, it’s not unlikely for some smokers to drag their lit cigarettes behind them the entire way, flicking their ashes as they go. This category of rude smoking is not illegal, just a matter of inconveniencing others. It’s inconsiderate.
Not only does one have to pass through the smoke, but they have to follow behind it for their entire journey to class. These smokers wouldn’t be quite as bothersome if they were to stay in one place so that other students could avoid their cloud.
These senseless smokers don’t represent all smokers. In fact, they represent very few. However, they’ve done enough to make many students resent the smoking population in general. Not only are they doing damage to the reputation of other smokers, but also to themselves. I’m sure the looks of disdain from passers-by are enough to get them reconsidering their locale.
Krautkramer is a sophomore marketing major and assistant advertising manager for The Spectator.
