Dear Editor,
I am deeply concerned by ETSU’s move toward a completely tobacco-free campus. Limiting individuals’ personal freedoms to this extent is simply unacceptable.
I am not a tobacco user; I’ve never lit a cigarette in my life. Yet I cannot sit idly by and allow the freedoms of those who choose to smoke be trampled on in this. I am fairly sure that there are those among the group who proposed this move who would argue about their own personal freedoms, citing their desire to remain away from the influence of tobacco.
They have that right, of course, but the rights of those who choose to smoke cannot be ignored in favor of the rights of those who choose not to. ETSU is a public institution; therefore it should recognize the rights of all it serves, not just a select group (even if they are the majority).
In addition, citing the health concerns tobacco poses is not a valid argument for its oppression. The fact that these health issues exist is not in question; tobacco is a very dangerous substance. But it should be up to the individual (not the state) to determine whether or not to use it.
Thus, the state should not oppress the rights of the individual to use tobacco simply because it is unhealthy. By that logic, the government should start regulating the consumption of food, as obesity is becoming a far greater threat to human health than smoking ever was.
A very logical and practical solution to this conundrum would be to designate certain smoking zones away from major pedestrian areas. This is a much more adequate way to protect the individual rights of all parties involved. It very beautifully solves the problem of those who wish to use tobacco products, and it equally appeases those who do not wish to be around tobacco use.
Making campus tobacco-free is a violation of individual liberties. A person’s choice of whether or not to smoke should be just that, their choice. Their choice should not be limited by the state; it is a violation of personal freedoms guaranteed by the spirit of the constitution and its founding fathers.
– Bradley Fore

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