While I opposed the Starkville smoking ban, MSU’s new policy on smoking is understandable.
However, don’t interpret “understandable” as “necessary.” This policy probably won’t save lives-as some may think-but it will alleviate the feelings of irritated nonsmokers.
One of my main problems with the city’s policy doesn’t even apply here. MSU isn’t a privately-owned establishment; therefore, the university has every right to do anything it wants with smoking. It doesn’t matter if someone wants to light up in a private office. That private office falls under the jurisdiction of the administration.
Of course, the most debated part of this policy will probably be the rule about standing 25 feet away from any entrance when smoking outside. Some smokers will complain about the inconvenience.
But they really don’t have an argument. These smokers don’t own any of the property they’re smoking on, and they should be thankful smoking hasn’t been banned completely on campus.
Of course, I hope the administration has enough common sense to move the ashtrays away from their present positions by entrances. This will help smokers comply with the policy.
Yet I can understand the smoker’s frustration, especially after Starkville cited biased science, threw private property rights out of the window and satisfied a contemptible interest group, whose members don’t care about anything other than their own personal lives and pet peeves.
Unfortunately, smokers lose again. And this time the policy can be justified with logic.
Even though the regulation of smoking on campus doesn’t bother me at all, the policy takes a cue from Hitler when it bans tobacco advertisements. Anyone who advocates a ban on tobacco advertising is an enemy to free speech. What makes the action even dumber is the fact that tobacco is legal and not considered obscene by law.
To be candid, the best advice for smokers at MSU is to adapt to the new policy when it takes effect. The issue of property overrides personal rights in this case.
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