By Katie Erickson
Here’s the thing about smoking: you can argue over smokers' rights and non-smokers' rights until the end of time. Sure, people have the right to choose to smoke regardless of the health concerns. It's their body and their personal decision to do what they want with it. I won't argue with that.
However, as a non-smoker I feel that I have rights, too. I have the right to walk to class or my dorm without being forced to walk through smoke clouds from throngs of people smoking right outside Ward.
My dad has lung cancer, and he’s never smoked anything in his life. However, when he was growing up, his mom smoked. The doctors are convinced his cancer is from the secondhand smoke. Needless to say, I have a mini panic attack every time I walk through clouds of smoke.
Both sides have good points, and there's no easy way to solve this problem. However, AU is a private institution that can enact this ban if they want. The University has that right. If you don't like it, either deal with it or transfer somewhere else.
And don’t worry: Threatening to smoke outside of President Kerwin's house will not change anything.
Katie Erickson is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences
