Comments on: Smokers versus non-smokers: the epic territory scuffle http://www.thegriffonnews.com/2006/09/26/smokers-versus-non-smokers-the-epic-territory-scuffle/ All the Missouri Western State University news that is fit to print Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:49:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Summer http://www.thegriffonnews.com/2006/09/26/smokers-versus-non-smokers-the-epic-territory-scuffle/#comment-17 Summer Wed, 27 Sep 2006 20:10:40 +0000 http://www.thegriffonnews.com/2006/09/26/smokers-versus-non-smokers-the-epic-territory-scuffle/#comment-17 I understand that smokers need a place to smoke - I even understand that they like to be shielded from the weather as much as the next person. However, there is (or at least use to be) signs posted in the area that is being written about that do say No Smoking. These signs are not the chalk written signs, but are white, hard plastic signs with red letters attached to the posts - just like the signs posted by the other enterances to Eder Hall. I would assume that the University posted those signs. If those signs are suppose to be there, smokers aren't suppose to smoke there anyway. Also, as a non-smoker with severe asthma and allergies walking through a heavy fog of smoke is not just a meer inconvenience - it causes me serious breathing issues. I already take six meds everyday just to avoid having to take my rescue inhaler (which I still have to take 1-2 times a week). Some people would tell me to just walk the long way around - this sounds like a good option when I don't have classes back-to-back. When I have to walk through that area, just to make it to class on time, I have to make sure I have my inhaler ready. Then I'm forced to sit through the entire next class with a racing heart and shaking so badly I can barely take legible notes because of the side-effects of albuterol. I think that there needs to be some other area that would protect smokers from the weather that they can smoke at that is not in an area that forces non-smokers to walk through. To be honest, I don't think it is a big deal to inconvenience smokers a little just so I can live. I understand that smokers need a place to smoke - I even understand that they like to be shielded from the weather as much as the next person. However, there is (or at least use to be) signs posted in the area that is being written about that do say No Smoking. These signs are not the chalk written signs, but are white, hard plastic signs with red letters attached to the posts - just like the signs posted by the other enterances to Eder Hall. I would assume that the University posted those signs. If those signs are suppose to be there, smokers aren’t suppose to smoke there anyway.

Also, as a non-smoker with severe asthma and allergies walking through a heavy fog of smoke is not just a meer inconvenience - it causes me serious breathing issues. I already take six meds everyday just to avoid having to take my rescue inhaler (which I still have to take 1-2 times a week). Some people would tell me to just walk the long way around - this sounds like a good option when I don’t have classes back-to-back. When I have to walk through that area, just to make it to class on time, I have to make sure I have my inhaler ready. Then I’m forced to sit through the entire next class with a racing heart and shaking so badly I can barely take legible notes because of the side-effects of albuterol.

I think that there needs to be some other area that would protect smokers from the weather that they can smoke at that is not in an area that forces non-smokers to walk through. To be honest, I don’t think it is a big deal to inconvenience smokers a little just so I can live.

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