Quick Breathers

         As midterms start to pile up so do the cigarette buds in the smoking section. California State University, Long Beach is a smoker friendly university. Throughout campus one can find many designated smoking areas for those who need a “quick breather.” There are many smokers on campus, students and staff alike, however efforts have been made to try and remove these privileges for a better academic environment.

         In 2001, 420 billion cigarettes were smoked, 26% of those smokers were from the ages of 18 to 24. Many smokers declare they began smoking during their college years. There is a higher percentage of smokers on campus with males than females. 90% of adult smokers started smoking at the age of 21 and half of them became regular smokers by the age of 18. However, most of the individuals from 18 to 24 are more non-smokers than smokers. There has been a huge decrease in smokers over the last several years.

            When talking to non-smokers students, most are not disturbed when it comes to the smoking policy on campus. “As long as they stay in their smoking area I can care less. We’re all adults here.” (Mia Reyes, 21) Smoking is prohibited 20 feet from any window or building and is only allowed within the designated areas. Non-smoking students say the allowance for smoking neither interferes or is problematic to their learning ability. Many non-smokers admit they would not even notice the change if smoking were to be completely banned from campus. Many say they avoid the smoke all together regardless if permitted or not.

        

            On campus smokers are a little indifferent when it comes to the possibility of Cal State Long Beach being a smoker-free campus. “It’s not even just students who are smoking, so are the professors.”  (Rob Bond, 21) Many student smokers believe that smoking on campus is a privilege and is one that they are not abusing and therefore should not be taken away. Most smokers do abide by University regulations when it comes to smoking and admit to only breaking the rules when they are already leaving campus. Some students actually encourage the restrictions to smoking because it helps regulate their intake. Almost all students admit it is a bad habit they are trying to kick. For most smoking students it is a way to relieve stress from the pressure of their studies. Although some do admit they use smoking as a time passer for breaks in between classes. 

           Recent studies have shown that the overall number of young smokers have decreased dramatically since the 70s, where daily smokers had 24 cigarettes a day, a number even current student smokers admit is outrageous. “I do it because it helps me get through my studies… I already know it’s bad. I don’t plan on doing it forever besides it’s too expensive.” As long as those rules and regulations stay in effect and cooperation from tobacco users are under control, learning in an environment with smoke in the air is possible.