Smoking on campus brings much more danger to people other than the firsthand smoker. The University of Central Missouri has been moving towards designated smoking areas, although the campus has adopted a smoke and tobacco free policy. The problems we face are the dangers and health concerns regarding secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke has a variety of dangers that affect our health. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, repetitive exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the likelihood to develop cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer by 20-30% ("Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke"). There are many other health concerns related to secondhand smoke as well. Studies and experiments show and prove how effective/efficient it is to adopt a policy that not only puts a ban on smoking but holds those how are caught smoking accountable for their actions. UCM's Public Safety officers have a duty to keep this campus safe, and this is just one other way they can help.
As college students, teacher, professors, and faculty members, our lives are busy enough worrying about homework, grades, tests, and towards the end of the semesters, finals. The last thing we should be worrying about are the negative effects of secondhand smoke on our health. The university can put stickers, posters, and brochures everywhere, bragging that we are smoke and tobacco free. It is up to us to come together, and start the change this university needs to see.
