Sunday, November 18, 2012

ASU Reacts: The 2013 Smoking Ban


Cue: Musical Intro

Audio Host: “Hello this is Ryan Rash here bringing you the scoop on ASU news. Well folks, times are changing around these parts. As I am sure you are all aware, ASU recently released a statement saying that starting on the first of August of next year, it will be a completely tobacco-free campus. In an e-mail sent to all students that attend the school, the background information reads quote, “The initiative [was] spearheaded by students and supported by the University Staff Council and the faculty Academic Senate” unquote. The university also created a new website regarding everything about the change of policy, including official regulations, “tobacco zone” maps and even tips on how to quit smoking. In addition, if all this information was not sufficient, they produced a video that is about two minutes long to provide visual support for the new ban.

Cue: Sound byte from ASU video

Audio Host: To me, the video was the most effective in explaining that the reason the ban is being instituted is to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke on students who do not use tobacco. The initial e-mail and the website are more designed to educate us students about what is actually going to happen.

Cue: Musical break

Okay so now that everyone knows what the ban is all about, it is becoming hotly debated. ASU is trying to protect non-smokers, smokers want to keep smoking, plain and simple. Personally, I do not see this as an issue of tobacco. The university obviously has a motive of being a safe environment and doing good deeds to improve their reputation, but I see the opposing argument as a condition of freedom. ASU’s current rules are in tune with federal regulations so tightening the grip on those rules is an unnecessary act.

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