Editor,
As a firm tobacco adversary and a member of the on-campus coalition against tobacco, EXPOSE, it is painful to watch the countless number of students, staff and faculty at UNM who are slaves to the little drug called tobacco.
What is even more painful, though, is seeing those who do not partake in the drug but are forced to succumb to its harmful effects through second-hand smoke.
The University Business Policies and Procedures Manual states that "individuals choosing to smoke outdoors must be a reasonable distance away from doorways, open windows, enclosed walkways and ventilation systems to prevent smoke from entering enclosed facilities."
How is it possible to define "reasonable" for all of UNM's patrons? This broad language must be replaced with a specific distance and UNM must begin to enforce its policy.
UNM also seems not to realize that simply preventing smoke from entering facilities is not enough. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, particles found in cigarettes are so tiny that they can cling to your clothes and hair. Later, when you go inside, the particles are absorbed by the carpets, curtains, furniture and even dust. When people come into contact with you, or anything in your house that has been exposed to these smoke particles, they absorb nicotine into their bodies.
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Entrances and exits are also swarming with smokers. Non-smokers are hardly able to avoid inhaling some second-hand smoke. You may think a little second-hand smoke every once in a while is not a big deal, but it adds up.
The American Lung Association states that second-hand smoke causes about 3,000 deaths each year from lung cancer in people who don't smoke. It also causes irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
UNM is not taking this issue seriously. The health of students, staff, faculty and visitors - including many children's groups - is at a high risk. We have the medical and scientific information proving a need to change UNM's policy on campus smoking.
The practices of smokers on campus now are in direct violation of non-smoker's rights. We are being directly harmed by deadly smoke. Even if it were possible to bypass the clouds of smoke, we nonsmokers should not have to.
We should not be punished for choosing to not become slaves to tobacco.
Kristen Woodruff
UNM student
