Sunday, November 25, 2012

Script Draft: Smoking Ban 2013


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.

Cue: Transition to student interview

Narrator: As easy as it would be too spew personal opinions on this ban, the fact remains that it effects 70,000+ students that attend the university. Around campus, there are dozens of popular places to sit down and take a drag so I figure one of these smoking areas will serve as a solid place to find various opinions on the sanction. First off, there is no way to dispute the danger of tobacco usage. Study after study shows that cancer and cigarettes essentially go hand in hand. Okay, I am exaggerating a bit but it truly is not that irrational of a statement. Like I said before, the way my questions will be asked will be shaped towards the concept of freedom. The goal is to find out if this law attacks our basic freedoms and if yes, is it a necessary sacrifice? Well let’s see what the people think.

Cue: Separate musical transition that leads into a field interview

Narrator: Welcome to the beautiful Arizona State University campus where I am here standing with (interviewee name) and we are ready to talk ‘2013 Smoking Ban’!

Questions to ask:

·         Do you think the ban is in the best interest of the students of this school?

·         How will it affect you personally?

·         Do you have any suggestions for perhaps a possible compromise on the ban?

·         Do you see the ban as an infringement of basic freedom?

·         The university is trying to reduce second hand smoke so do you think there is a way to isolate the smokers more instead of banning it so both parties are attended too?

Cue: Musical transition back into narration
Narrator: There you have it, the people have spoken. It is now evident that students are concerned about (x, y and z.) The simple question of whether this is good or bad depends on the answers outlined by the public such as in any democracy.

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