KentNewsNet.com

What a difference 20-25 years makes! When I went to Kent State in the mid-80s, smokers had virtually free reign on campus - and I hated it. People smoked in work areas, in hallways, in offices, in dorm rooms, in lounges, even on occasion in classrooms.

While I was a student, the campus made a half-a**ed attempt at implementing a smoking policy - decreeing that smoking was prohibited "except in designated areas". It was a joke! Food Services tried "smoking" and "non-smoking" areas in dining halls. Students, faculty, and staff frequently ignored or didn't observe the designated areas because areas weren't clearly marked (if at all) - some didn't care. Some followed the "conventional wisdom" at the time that one could smoke wherever he or she wanted unless there was a sign saying it was prohibited.

Frequently while having meals in the dining halls and trying to stay out of the "smoking" areas while eating, I'd see people smoking in these supposed "non-smoking" areas and putting out their cigarettes into dishes and cups. This wasn't the most appetizing thing to observe. I even saw some Food Services employees ignoring the policy and smoking where they shouldn't.

While many smokers are considerate of others, it's the selfish attitudes of people like Mark Thornburg that make tough smoking policies necessary. People like Mark need to realize that with rights come responsibilities. So many people are he**-bent on exercising their real or perceived rights - playing loud music, smoking, having parties - that they forget that these actions have effects on other people.

This isn't the middle of the 20th Century when cigarette makers could advertise what they thought were "health benefits" of smoking a particular brand. In 2008, the ill effects of smoking - both on smokers and nonsmokers - are well documented. While designating a "smoke-free campus" might be going too far - not having to wade through cigarette smoke while entering or using campus buildings isn't that much for nonsmokers to expect.