Atmosphere is better with tobacco ban
Emily Booker
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Opinion
A 2004 Study by the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion found that cigarette smoke contains at least 69 chemicals which are known to cause cancer.
Approximately 440,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related problems, many of them long, painful respiratory illness.
Chewers face different but just as serious problems. Oral and throat cancer affects 30,000 Americans a year, and only have survived more than five years after being diagnosed.
For those lucky enough to escape cancer, there is tooth and gum decay and damage to the bone structure of the jaw.
Polonium 210, formaldehyde, nicotine, cadmium, cyanide, arsenic, benzene, and lead are found in tobacco products.
Remember the ruckus about lead found in children's toys from China? Imagine eating that lead with about 100 different toxins daily. Why should the university condone such self-distructive behavior?
People over the age of 21 can purchase and consume alcohol, but alcohol is also banned on campus. Weapons are also banned, whether they even if they are purchased legally. The tobacco ban is no different. It's not to punish smokers and chewers. It's to make campus a cleaner, healthier place to learn.
So take a deep, fresh breath and enjoy a tobacco-free campus.
Approximately 440,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related problems, many of them long, painful respiratory illness.
Chewers face different but just as serious problems. Oral and throat cancer affects 30,000 Americans a year, and only have survived more than five years after being diagnosed.
For those lucky enough to escape cancer, there is tooth and gum decay and damage to the bone structure of the jaw.
Polonium 210, formaldehyde, nicotine, cadmium, cyanide, arsenic, benzene, and lead are found in tobacco products.
Remember the ruckus about lead found in children's toys from China? Imagine eating that lead with about 100 different toxins daily. Why should the university condone such self-distructive behavior?
People over the age of 21 can purchase and consume alcohol, but alcohol is also banned on campus. Weapons are also banned, whether they even if they are purchased legally. The tobacco ban is no different. It's not to punish smokers and chewers. It's to make campus a cleaner, healthier place to learn.
So take a deep, fresh breath and enjoy a tobacco-free campus.
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