So I've been given the task to write this blog for the Tobacco-Free Texas Campaign. Yes, I am a part of this campaign. This blog will address controversial smoking issues regarding UT, its legislation, news, opinions, and stories. Here's the introduction to the smoking issue:
In March 2011, Student Government passed a resolution calling for a 7-year process of a smoking cessation policy on the UT of Austin campus. Their legislation includes exceptions to the rule, which we will get into later.
Wait for it...
WOAH. Uproar! What? Why would Student Government do this? This is ridiculous! Stopping smoking on campus? Not. Possible. "They can't make me."
Well, no, nobody can absolutely make you to do anything but here's why your freedom should consider smoking cessation: Smoking is the "leading cause of cancer and death from cancer. It causes cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia" (National Cancer Institute).
To put it short, you can die of cancer (wait, back up: you can be extremely miserable in a hospital), and you can contribute to deaths of other people who probably don't want to develop cancer. How can you do this? Second-hand smoke. According to the National Cancer Institute (I will abbreviate this to NCI, just for your information from now on), "Inhaling secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in nonsmoking adults" and "approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths occur each year among adult nonsmokers in the United States as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke".
Blah blah blah words and numbers, but I'm going to break it down for you in this scenario:
You're sitting outside on a bench at the Six Pack doing your thing, when suddenly two people light cigarettes not too far from you. You inhale the smoke. BAM, you've now got chromium, vinyl chloride, benzene, among other chemicals in your lungs. Okay, so you only took one breath. Oh wait...this happens again a few days later. Maybe twice the next month. Every time, you have to grab your stuff and shuffle away, and every time, you come a little closer to having carcinogens brewing a party in your lungs.
Also, don't believe my quotes? Check it: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/cessation
So this is why smokers should take this law seriously. Now, I'm not saying that smokers are careless people; no, they are not. But what the Tobacco-Free Texas campaign strongly urges is preventive care and precaution to protect those who do not want to inhale these carcinogens.
Note: I apologize for my blunt language. With all due respect, I am concerned for those with family and friends currently struggling with lung cancer and/or any health problems due to smoking and in general, so please don't take offense. I just wanted to lay the case down not lightly, but realistically.
I think this is it for today. Of course, this matter is a serious one that is still in debate among the UT community and Student Government. There are questions that need to be addressed (doesn't mean they'll necessarily be solved): What does "smoking" encompass? How realistic is this legislation? Implementation methods? Any exceptions? And there are probably more on my mind, but those will come later. No worries, I hope to address all sides of the issue/opinions while ultimately educating you about the risks associated with smoking and informing you that this legislation is not bogus. It has potential to do some good.
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