Royal Purple

Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Lifestyle

Media Credit: Alison Wisneski Non-smokers disapprove of second-hand smoke, while others believe it's their right as Americans, no matter who it harms.

In a time of tofu, an age of aerobics, and obsessions with omega-3 fatty acids, is there any room for the old Marlboro Man; a small piece of personal space for him to dust of his dirt stricken Wranglers, hang his hat and take a good long drag?

While most of the smokers in Whitewater may not be wearing Wrangler jeans, they are finding it harder to smoke without the disproval of others around them. Facing a moral dilemma, smokers must decide whether smoking in a public place is a right or a privilege.

Senior Coby Curkeet says he doesn't mind smokers, but would prefer people don't smoke around him.

"Personally I don't like smoking in the bars," Curkeet said. "The smoking ban is a good idea because if someone smokes a cigarette everyone around them has to suffer. If I have a drink in my hand no one is complaining."

Non-smokers and smokers alike enjoy a place they can gather without having to air out their winter-wear the next day.

Senior Justin Malmstadt, a smoker, says that second hand smoke bothers him.

"While being a smoker myself, I do not like the smell of second hand smoke, and while that may seem ironic, the truth is, going out in Whitewater hard to bare because of the smoke," Malmstadt said.

According to "The Burden of Tobacco," a report conducted by the University of Wisconsin Tobacco Surveillance and Evaluation Program, the American Cancer Society, and Wisconsin Division of Public Health's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, Wisconsin has a frightening number of smokers and smoking related deaths.

The total number of smokers in Wisconsin is estimated at 1,005,000. Twenty-two percent are 18 years old or above, 8 percent are of middle school youth, and 14 percent are smoking during pregnancy.

Senior Matthew Powers says he is aware of the damage that smoking does but thinks smoking is both a privilege and a right.

"People who smoke are going to continue to do so whether the law says they should or they shouldn't.," Powers said. "People know they aren't supposed to urinate in public, but they still do. "

Junior and smoker James Gill says while he tries to be considerate to other people, they should be considerate to him.
"It's up to people to make their own decisions, and I think they should leave me alone with mine," Gill said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools