For years now, smoking on campuses has been a growing trend throughout colleges everywhere. Walking between classes, hanging out on a bench outside, or standing outside the doorway of a classroom building, smokers will whip out a cigarette while most of them disregard the fact that there are non-smokers close enough to them who get a nice whiff of the tar-infested smoke. University of Central Florida demonstrates inheritance of this trend, occupying a large amount of on-campus smokers. "I feel like a victim because I don't smoke and I have to breathe it in," says UCF student Chris Villani. This establishes that not only is smoking on campus a trend, but it is now a problem. Even though some people believe that this developed problem is not a problem at all, there are a majority of people that believe smoking on campus should be banned or strongly regulated, and UCF has been doing what it can to follow through with these people's wishes.
There is a large amount of UCF students that strongly insist regulations for smoking on campus. "I think it's gross. I think that there should be stricter rules or designated areas for it. Too many kids just blow smoke in your face all around campus," says student and non-smoker Deanna Quintero. "If people weren't smoking I could take the route I want to class, and not have to dodge people," says Chris Villani. It is unfortunate that these poor students feel this way when they should be enjoying their college experience whole-heartedly without the nuisance created by these smokers around campus. They should not feel the need to "dodge" people or feel like a victim when a student is simply trying to walk to class. Inhaling smoke unintentionally can be very damaging to a person's health, so not only is it a detestation, but it is threatening to their physical wellness through second-hand smoke. Someone who hangs around a smoker on campus regularly can be inadvertently inhaling that smoke and it eventually has to potential to cause serious harm to a student's body. According to lungusa.org, "Secondhand smoke contains hundreds of chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic, including formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic ammonia and hydrogen cyanide." A non-smoker would involuntarily be exposed to these toxins and if exposed enough, it could start to have negative side effects to this person's health. Clearly, students at UCF that attest to the regulation of smoking on campus can all agree that it would create a pleasant environment, as well as a safer environment.
As important as it is to recognize the opposition to smoking on UCF campus, it is interesting to note what the smokers think about the issue. "I don't mind either smokers or smoking. But I do agree with the notion that smokers should be considerate and non-smokes should not be afraid to ask smokers to not blow smoke in their face. I don't see how there could be a problem if people are communicative, tolerant, and amenable," says student and smoker Simon Valencia. Based off of this quote, it seems that there are some smokers out there that tolerate the problem and believe that people that are offended by the smoke should just speak up. Although doing so could be effective, it would only be short-term. In order to make a significant change in the campus atmosphere, a long-term adjustment is necessary, including rules and regulations. It is simple to politely ask a smoker to relocate, but there are those who find it unnecessary to do so because they should not have to go out of there way just so they can breathe better. "I feel like I shouldn't have to ask to feel comfortable and sometimes they look unapproachable," says student Dan Suarez.
According to the 2005 Core Survey on Tobaccofreeu.org, "28.2% of college students indicated using tobacco (cigarettes, chew, or snuff) in the past 30 days. The good news is an even bigger percentage (71.8%) DON'T! And half of the current college smokers would like to quit." If this pertains to UCF's smokers, then any regulation would only affect that small portion of smokers, in comparison to the large amount of non-smokers who would greatly appreciate any change.
As far as what UCF is trying to do to regulate on-campus smokers, there have been events related to a tobacco-free change. Tobaccofreefloridaevents.com states that UCF held an event for the UCF Market Day, which promoted becoming tobacco-free as a student. Also, recently the University of Florida declared its change to becoming a Tobacco-Free university. Tobaccofree.health.ufl.edu states that "starting Nov. 1, 2009, all University of Florida Health Science Center and Shands HealthCare facilities will be tobacco-free. Patients, visitors, students, and employees will no longer be able to smoke or use tobacco products on our campuses, in HSC, Shands and UF Physicians buildings or parking lots, or even in their cars while they are visiting. UF plans to implement the policy on its main campus in July 2010." Knowing UCF, the university will probably implement a plan like this eventually, as it usually does when there are changes at different Florida universities. Hopefully, any change such as this will be sooner rather than later.
When problems arise on college campuses, there are always complaints and unhappy people that suffer from these problems. Some can be fixed, some can't. I strongly believe something can be done about smoking on campus. There are those that agree, mostly the non-smokers, and those that disagree, mostly the smokers. If it is recognized enough throughout UCF that the non-smokers who suffer on a day to day basis walking to class, inhaling the second-hand smoke want a change, it can be done. There are the quotes to prove it that these victims find it necessary for a change, whether it is regulation or banishment of smoking in general. Through events and organizations around campus, their voice has been reaching others who feel the same, and hopefully that voice will be powerful enough to make a change. Expectantly, UCF will follow in other universities footsteps by becoming tobacco-free one day, and our campus will be a healthier, more breathable space.
Works Cited
Villani, Chris. "Personal Interview on 6 October 2009".
Quintero, Deanna. "Personal Interview on 18 October 2009".
Valencia, Simon. "Personal Interview on 19 October 2009".
Suarez, Dan. "Personal Interview on 19 October 2009".
"College Students and Tobacco Use". tobaccofreeu.org. The Bacchus Network, 2002. Web. 18 October 2009. http://www.tobaccofreeu.org/facts_figures/college_students.asp
Health Science Center and Shands Healthcare. University of Central Florida, 03 August 2009. Web. 18 October 2009. http://tobaccofree.health.ufl.edu/
"Secondhand Smoke Fact Sheet". lungusa.org. American Health Association, 2009. Web. 18 October 2009. http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.35422/
"Street Team Events". tobaccofreefloridaevents.com. Tobacco Free Florida, 2009. Web. 18 October 2009. http://tobaccofreefloridaevents.com/street-team
Monday, October 19, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thesis Paragraph Draft
For years now, smoking on campuses has been a growing trend throughout colleges everywhere. Walking between classes, hanging out on a bench outside, or standing outside the doorway of a classroom building, smokers will whip out a cigarette while most of them disregard the fact that there are non-smokers close enough to them who get a nice whiff of the tar-infested smoke. University of Central Florida can attest to this trend, occupying a large amount of on-campus smokers. "I feel like a victim because I don't smoke and I have to breath it in," says UCF student Chris Villani. This establishes that not only is smoking on campus a trend, but it is now a problem. Even though some people believe that this developed problem is not a problem at all, there are a majority of people that believe smoking on campus should be banned or strongly regulated, and UCF has been doing what it can to follow through with these people's wishes.
Commentary Outline
Topic: Smoking on campus
I. Introduction
-Introduce the trend
-Discuss the problem
-Quote from student
-Thesis statement
II. Body
a] Talk about the issue from non-smokers perspective
What do they think about smoking on campus?
What do they think should be done?
- Include interviews from students around UCF
b] Talk about the issue from a smokers perspective
What do they think about the issue?
How have they started smoking?
- Include interviews from students around UCF
c] Research and solutions to issue
How has the percentage of smokers raised throughout the years?
What is UCF doing to ban or regulate smoking on campus?
- Online research and ask UCF officials
III. Conclusion
- Talk about issue again
- Talk about both perspectives
- Talk about solutions to issue
- Thesis Statement
I. Introduction
-Introduce the trend
-Discuss the problem
-Quote from student
-Thesis statement
II. Body
a] Talk about the issue from non-smokers perspective
What do they think about smoking on campus?
What do they think should be done?
- Include interviews from students around UCF
b] Talk about the issue from a smokers perspective
What do they think about the issue?
How have they started smoking?
- Include interviews from students around UCF
c] Research and solutions to issue
How has the percentage of smokers raised throughout the years?
What is UCF doing to ban or regulate smoking on campus?
- Online research and ask UCF officials
III. Conclusion
- Talk about issue again
- Talk about both perspectives
- Talk about solutions to issue
- Thesis Statement
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Letter
Dear Brittany,
I am writing you this letter to get your opinion and feedback on an issue here at UCF. I've noticed that about 2/3 of the students here are smokers. This includes them smoking on campus, and the negativity about it from non-smokers has been buzzing throughout the school. People complain about inhaling the smoke when they are on their way to class because someone on their same route is smoking next to them. There are people that smoke on benches where students are trying to relax and sit down, but are bugged by 2nd hand smoke. There are also the students that are getting addicted and experimenting because of the amount of smoking here, and they feel that they need to "fit in". This has become a serious issue here on campus.
My question to you is, based on what I just told you, what is your opinion of smoking on campus? What do you think should be done about it? I've gathered some information on campus and have found that the majority of non-smokers think that smoking around students is very inconsiderate. They think that it should either be banned or regulated. Now, it is rumored that UCF is trying to become tobacco-free, and may ban smoking as of next year. Whether or not this is going to pull through is beyond my knowledge, but I can do the research and ask the questions to find out more. I just don't understand how so many young people are smoking now-a-days. I would like to conduct more research on how smoking got started for these people, and why they are doing it. Also, I want to find out how smoking on campus has grown throughout the years percentage wise. And, I would like to know why they feel the need to smoke on campus, and if they even think about annoying others as a consequence to them doing it.
Anyway, I want you know how significant this is to me. Not only does this matter bother me, but it seems to bother so many others at UCF. It also makes me sad for the smokers because they have their whole lives ahead of them, and they are destroying it by smoking so much. They are literally killing themselves little by little every time they light up. It can be a health issue to others as well, and can cause outbreaks of future fights over needed regulations. Maybe even just by regulating things around here, it would decrease the amount of college smokers in general. Who knows? Just based on the few opinions I have, I can tell how much of a nuisance smoking on campus is. I would really value your opinion because I would like to know what someone else thinks about it, especially because you don't witness it every day. Let me know what you think. Thanks a lot!
-Sam Salerno
I am writing you this letter to get your opinion and feedback on an issue here at UCF. I've noticed that about 2/3 of the students here are smokers. This includes them smoking on campus, and the negativity about it from non-smokers has been buzzing throughout the school. People complain about inhaling the smoke when they are on their way to class because someone on their same route is smoking next to them. There are people that smoke on benches where students are trying to relax and sit down, but are bugged by 2nd hand smoke. There are also the students that are getting addicted and experimenting because of the amount of smoking here, and they feel that they need to "fit in". This has become a serious issue here on campus.
My question to you is, based on what I just told you, what is your opinion of smoking on campus? What do you think should be done about it? I've gathered some information on campus and have found that the majority of non-smokers think that smoking around students is very inconsiderate. They think that it should either be banned or regulated. Now, it is rumored that UCF is trying to become tobacco-free, and may ban smoking as of next year. Whether or not this is going to pull through is beyond my knowledge, but I can do the research and ask the questions to find out more. I just don't understand how so many young people are smoking now-a-days. I would like to conduct more research on how smoking got started for these people, and why they are doing it. Also, I want to find out how smoking on campus has grown throughout the years percentage wise. And, I would like to know why they feel the need to smoke on campus, and if they even think about annoying others as a consequence to them doing it.
Anyway, I want you know how significant this is to me. Not only does this matter bother me, but it seems to bother so many others at UCF. It also makes me sad for the smokers because they have their whole lives ahead of them, and they are destroying it by smoking so much. They are literally killing themselves little by little every time they light up. It can be a health issue to others as well, and can cause outbreaks of future fights over needed regulations. Maybe even just by regulating things around here, it would decrease the amount of college smokers in general. Who knows? Just based on the few opinions I have, I can tell how much of a nuisance smoking on campus is. I would really value your opinion because I would like to know what someone else thinks about it, especially because you don't witness it every day. Let me know what you think. Thanks a lot!
-Sam Salerno
Questions/Interview
5 Questions
1. What do non-smokers at UCF think of all of the smokers on campus?
2. What do non-smokers think should be done about smoking on campus?
3. How have the smokers began smoking? A habit before college or started in school?
4. What is UCF doing to ban smoking or regulate smoking on campus?
5. What was the percentage of smokers on campus in the past and how has it grown?
Interview
a) How do you know what you know?
- A lot of people smoke on campus and it bothers me when I walk to class.
b) Who are you to the subject?
- A victim because I don't smoke and I have to breath it in.
c) How is this event connected to other events?
- Another way to get mad at people, like the skateboarding and bike riding on campus.
d) What if things were different?
- If people weren't smoking I could take the route I want and not have to dodge people.
e) Why is this important?
- It will make me enjoy my walk to campus, so I could breathe easier.
(My Questions)
1. I think that smokers are inconsiderate.
2. I think it should be banned or only allowed in certain areas.
3. Some friends started in school to fit in and because they are away from their parents.
4. *Can't answer because he doesn't know*
5. *Can't answer because he doesn't know*
1. What do non-smokers at UCF think of all of the smokers on campus?
2. What do non-smokers think should be done about smoking on campus?
3. How have the smokers began smoking? A habit before college or started in school?
4. What is UCF doing to ban smoking or regulate smoking on campus?
5. What was the percentage of smokers on campus in the past and how has it grown?
Interview
a) How do you know what you know?
- A lot of people smoke on campus and it bothers me when I walk to class.
b) Who are you to the subject?
- A victim because I don't smoke and I have to breath it in.
c) How is this event connected to other events?
- Another way to get mad at people, like the skateboarding and bike riding on campus.
d) What if things were different?
- If people weren't smoking I could take the route I want and not have to dodge people.
e) Why is this important?
- It will make me enjoy my walk to campus, so I could breathe easier.
(My Questions)
1. I think that smokers are inconsiderate.
2. I think it should be banned or only allowed in certain areas.
3. Some friends started in school to fit in and because they are away from their parents.
4. *Can't answer because he doesn't know*
5. *Can't answer because he doesn't know*
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Prompt #2
Since I’ve been attending UCF, I have noticed that about 1 in 3 people smoke cigarettes. Walking around campus, I have seen so many people, kids and teachers, smoking while walking, in between classes, or just simply sitting on a bench outside. For some people, it is just a casual thing that they like to do at parties or while out with friends, but that’s how it starts. It looks like a lot of people enjoy smoking and it’s a habit that is normal for these people. It makes me feel sad for those people because in the future, it will destroy their lungs and other parts of their body, and eventually they could die. It reminds me of when I was little and used to hang out at my best friend’s house whose parents smoked. They were always smoking when I was over there and it bothered me a lot. Some people agree with me that it is a bad habit with bad consequences, while some people don’t even think of the consequences and smoke anyway. It is significant to me because I don’t want to see people practically killing themselves by smoking, especially the young kids here at UCF. To others it may not be as significant, so the typical college kids will experiment and smoke on campus and off. Smoking in college is just the beginning, and if they stick with it, it will be a life long addiction.
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