The University Life Committee of the University of Houston-Clear Lake is proposing to eliminate all designated areas for smoking, making it a tobacco-free campus.
The campus currently has multiple locations around the school that allow students a place to smoke. However, even though they have sections to do so, their smoking is still affecting students who do not smoke. I am one of those students.
Throughout my educational career at UHCL, my classes have been held in the Student Services building and Bayou building. When walking to classes in the Student Services building, I always come across students smoking in the gazebo and it was very uncomfortable when I walk by on the sidewalk. The gazebo is a designated smoking area, but I feel that it is too close to the entrance on that side of the building.
When walking to the Bayou Building, I have to walk by the patio cafe, which is a designated smoking area, and again I have to smell the unpleasant smell of smoke. There are days when the weather feels great outside, but I cannot eat in the patio area because of the immense amount of smoke and odor.
I respect those who feel the need to smoke, but I know that going one day without it will not kill the individual. I would really appreciate it if UHCL does ban smoking on campus. Every time I walk into a building and people are smoking, I must block my nose to avoid inhaling the secondhand smoke.
If UHCL becomes a tobacco-free campus, it will join all the other universities that are no longer allowing on-campus smoking such as the University of Houston main campus. It will also enhance the physical appearance of our campus. As a future UHCL alumnae, it would make me very proud to graduate from a university that encourages a healthy lifestyle.
I am a strong believer that smoking is optional and not a life requirement. If one really desires to live longer and healthy, smoking has to be eliminated completely. Going to school and bettering your life is also optional. I am not stating that a person who smokes is a lesser person than someone who does not smoke. However, I do feel that those who smoke should respect the people who devote their lives to a healthy life. For the staff and faculty who do smoke, there is plenty of public areas near the school to which they can go during lunch breaks.
In my opinion, UHCL would be making a positive decision if they fully prohibit smoking on campus. I vote yes to a smoke-free campus.