2008 Woodie Awards
Smoking ban needed
Non-smokers have right to unpolluted air
Aaron Phillips
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
When a ban on smoking within 10 feet of doors became the rule, Amarillo College took a step in the right direction. Now, a new phase should take place to ban smoking completely on campus.
Listen closely to already hear the endless rants and raves about how Aaron Phillips is another "health Nazi" or "neo-liberal activist" infringing upon the citizens' rights.
The thing is, it is the right of every adult to choose whether they smoke.
Just because they choose to smoke doesn't mean non-smokers should breathe in the polluted air.
According to University of California health economists, smoke-related illness costs $72.7 billion in health care per year.
That is preventable illness that burdens the health care system.
Those funds would be better spent providing health insurance to the 46 million Americans the National Coalition on Health Care says are without medical insurance.
Emissions from vehicles and polluting industries sometimes are used as excuses for living with the health risks of smoking.
Yes, emissions do pollute and cause cancer and other illness.
However, government regulations in general have started shifting toward a greener, air-friendlier system.
The last defense of a smoker often is that he or she has the right to do so.
That is absolutely true, but every nonsmoker has the right to not breathe in the vile habit.
If smokers go to restricted areas or keep cigarettes in their cars with the windows rolled up or even keep the smoking inside their own home, there should be no problem.
However, as long as smoking has to be only 10 feet from doors, it is almost inevitable that nonsmokers will walk through a cloud of smoke.
To top that, the butt disposals are next to the doors, so cigarettes will burn on their way to being disposed of properly.
The fact of the matter is, government regulates almost everything, and to think regulations on cigarettes are unconstitutional is absolutely ridiculous.
The United States is a social democracy, not a free-willing anarchist dreamscape.
Everything from wearing a seatbelt to washing hands while working has become regulation.
Smoking on all Amarillo College campuses should be completely banned with a stiff fine for violators.
Listen closely to already hear the endless rants and raves about how Aaron Phillips is another "health Nazi" or "neo-liberal activist" infringing upon the citizens' rights.
The thing is, it is the right of every adult to choose whether they smoke.
Just because they choose to smoke doesn't mean non-smokers should breathe in the polluted air.
According to University of California health economists, smoke-related illness costs $72.7 billion in health care per year.
That is preventable illness that burdens the health care system.
Those funds would be better spent providing health insurance to the 46 million Americans the National Coalition on Health Care says are without medical insurance.
Emissions from vehicles and polluting industries sometimes are used as excuses for living with the health risks of smoking.
Yes, emissions do pollute and cause cancer and other illness.
However, government regulations in general have started shifting toward a greener, air-friendlier system.
The last defense of a smoker often is that he or she has the right to do so.
That is absolutely true, but every nonsmoker has the right to not breathe in the vile habit.
If smokers go to restricted areas or keep cigarettes in their cars with the windows rolled up or even keep the smoking inside their own home, there should be no problem.
However, as long as smoking has to be only 10 feet from doors, it is almost inevitable that nonsmokers will walk through a cloud of smoke.
To top that, the butt disposals are next to the doors, so cigarettes will burn on their way to being disposed of properly.
The fact of the matter is, government regulates almost everything, and to think regulations on cigarettes are unconstitutional is absolutely ridiculous.
The United States is a social democracy, not a free-willing anarchist dreamscape.
Everything from wearing a seatbelt to washing hands while working has become regulation.
Smoking on all Amarillo College campuses should be completely banned with a stiff fine for violators.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Allan
posted 5/07/07 @ 9:27 AM CST
I see by writing this(never mind that I only found this article 2 months after you wrote this, and unfortunately didn't find it sooner), you obviously have no objection if the slippery slope of government continues to eventually cover and/or perhaps ban other 'vices' you might have, such as drinking, or eating unhealthy foods?
By writing this, you have sadly proved that you're nothing more than just another hot tempered, anti-smoking activist who just wants to impose their viewpoints on others against their will. (Continued…)
Brooke
posted 10/02/07 @ 2:41 PM CST
Actually Utah may have been calling too! Growing up there, I have yet to see a more restrictive state when it comes to the rights of smokers.
I am all for rights, I am even for the rights of non-smokers. (Continued…)
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