Editor,
I really think that smokers deserve to have a little more respect than the areas designated for them display.
I feel bad when I see most of the areas do not have any shade and some of them have no seating. Now smokers have to be crowded into designated areas on the UNM campus. It has kind of a negative feel, right? You can smell the smoke way more and the areas usually have overflowing trash cans and butts on the ground. I mean, really? I do not think this is going to set up a positive result.
What we should have done is talk a little more about the process of the non-smoking policy before hand, and we should have included people who smoke in the process. It really appears that most of the decisions have been made by non-smokers.
I do not smoke myself, but I always think we should be careful when taking peoples’ rights away. We should give it careful thought and discussion, because next time it could be something more important, and next time it could be your rights that are being limited.
The saying is, “If you do not stand up for other people, there is no one left to stand up for you when you need it.”
Mona Angel
UNM student
