2008 Woodie Awards
Iowa kicks smokers out on the streets
Heather Hanson
Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: Opinion
Smoking, once a stress reliever, has turned into a cause of stress. This time last year, no one would have thought anything of lighting up a cancer stick in Malarkey's, Puff's, or any other bar they ventured in to. Now it is a whole new game because Iowa is kicking the smokers not only to the curb, but to the streets in what seems to be an attempt to put out the cigarettes once and for all.
Governor Culver signed the Iowa Smokefree Air Act on April 15, and the act was put into effect on July 1. This act prohibits smoking in almost all public areas. According to this new act, you cannot smoke in restaurants, bars, daycare facilities (private homes included), seating areas around sporting events, bowling alleys, public transportation vehicles and school grounds. This also includes college campuses. Iowa State University's students cannot smoke within 25 feet of the University's property, and here at Buena Vista University (BVU), students who smoke need to stand in the middle of the street. That's right; you canÕt even smoke in your car if it is in the school parking lot.
Has Culver gone too far with this new act? I think so. Personally, I am not a smoker, so a smoke-free campus is fine with me. However, for the students who do smoke, this new act makes smoking a big hassle, which I believe was the goal. Culver states in an article Gov. Culver signs Iowa Smokefree Air Act by Melanie Wargowski that the bill will "save lives." I think Culver is way off base. Smoking is an addictive behavior and I am willing to bet most people will have no problem taking a little stroll and smoking a cigarette or two.
Last year's designated smoking areas on BVU's campus, I thought, were a great solution to the smokers versus non-smokers battle. Everyone on campus knew which areas were smoking areas, and if they did not want to go by them, other routes could have been taken. Those who smoked were respectful and used the designated areas, so therefore I really do not see what was wrong with last year's policy. I know the school has nothing to do with the new policy, but Culver needs to think about this act a little more. Yes, there is a possibility people will slow down on cigarettes and only smoke one pack a day instead of two, but you're telling them to stand in the middle of the street and that may just be a cause of more hit-and-run accidents.
Governor Culver signed the Iowa Smokefree Air Act on April 15, and the act was put into effect on July 1. This act prohibits smoking in almost all public areas. According to this new act, you cannot smoke in restaurants, bars, daycare facilities (private homes included), seating areas around sporting events, bowling alleys, public transportation vehicles and school grounds. This also includes college campuses. Iowa State University's students cannot smoke within 25 feet of the University's property, and here at Buena Vista University (BVU), students who smoke need to stand in the middle of the street. That's right; you canÕt even smoke in your car if it is in the school parking lot.
Has Culver gone too far with this new act? I think so. Personally, I am not a smoker, so a smoke-free campus is fine with me. However, for the students who do smoke, this new act makes smoking a big hassle, which I believe was the goal. Culver states in an article Gov. Culver signs Iowa Smokefree Air Act by Melanie Wargowski that the bill will "save lives." I think Culver is way off base. Smoking is an addictive behavior and I am willing to bet most people will have no problem taking a little stroll and smoking a cigarette or two.
Last year's designated smoking areas on BVU's campus, I thought, were a great solution to the smokers versus non-smokers battle. Everyone on campus knew which areas were smoking areas, and if they did not want to go by them, other routes could have been taken. Those who smoked were respectful and used the designated areas, so therefore I really do not see what was wrong with last year's policy. I know the school has nothing to do with the new policy, but Culver needs to think about this act a little more. Yes, there is a possibility people will slow down on cigarettes and only smoke one pack a day instead of two, but you're telling them to stand in the middle of the street and that may just be a cause of more hit-and-run accidents.
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