An event meant to deter smoking nationwide was met by student dissenters rallying against a ban on their right to smoke.
Student protestors sat adjacent to the main entrance of the Mourant building at the University of Alaska Southeast Thursday for the 39th Annual Great American Smokeout Event sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
The Great American Smokeout, held on the first Thursday in November every year, encourages smokers nationwide to quit for just one day. According to the American Cancer Society, the first event on Nov. 18, 1976 led to nearly 1 million giving up the habit for 24 hours.
Student Jarmyn Kramlich said he received an email from administrators a month ago informing students and staff of an impending ban on tobacco and tobacco-related products. The ban, covering all University of Alaska campuses, starts Dec. 1.
Kramlich responded to data on the growing trend of tobacco bans at universities across the country: “Just because it is popular, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.”
As of October this year, 1,477 college campuses nationwide have become smoke-free, according to the Tobacco Free College Campus Initiative. Of this number, 975 schools also prohibit other tobacco-related products.
Another student, Andrew McDonough, who had recently quit smoking, agreed that a restriction on smoking made it a little more appealing. He said the university’s effort to control a legal habit for students was disrespectful to him.
“They act like we can’t make the right decisions … We have to make our own mistakes,” McDonough said. “This is less about smoking and more about personal freedoms.”
Full Story at JuneauEmpire.com
