Editor,
College is often promoted as a chance to shine as an individual. However, when the University itself tends to promote an action by following the lead of others, one cannot help but be discouraged.
There have been a few such actions over the years, but with the proposal of a campuswide smoking ban, I am afraid UNM has reached a new level of the illogical.
As an occasional smoker, I am conscious of the negative effects - yellow teeth, stale smell and hacking cough - and the benefits - relaxation, extra work breaks and mental control of a situation - that seem to come with smoking.
However, we, as smokers, are already the minority. With the University's willingness to follow the ideas of others, we are being unfairly singled out by the smoking ban.
How do I know we are the minority? Because we keep dying. We have been warned, and we are still going to smoke anyway, so why try and restrict us even more? We already separate ourselves outside - except for in the winter when we huddle together for warmth. There is no reason to try and cast us out farther. It is an act of prejudice to enforce a law that only falls upon a few individuals.
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Devon Costello
UNM student
