Second-Hand Smoke

Dear Editor,

Each time I climb the hill and approach the Balabanis quad (outside of the Van Duzer theatre) from a class in Harry Griffith Hall, the Natural Resources Building, or other buildings in that vicinity, I am constantly met with the smell, taste, and irritation of second-hand smoke which has been proven time and time again to be a serious health hazard.  Where does this smoke come from, you may ask?  It comes from the designated smoking area situated directly on the quad.  As I have seasonal allergies, this smoke makes them even worse especially since the smoking area is situated in such an unavoidable place.

On that note, I find it sad that I have to make an effort to avoid the Balabanis quad since it is such a beautiful area where you can enjoy much of the atmosphere our university has to offer.  Furthermore, the Van Duzer theatre is a major venue for entertainment in Humboldt county where elementary school children come to see shows and plays on field trips, I feel this quad in particular is very representative of our school and as a student, I do not want my university represented by the pungent smell of cigarette smoke. Such an idea is especially important, considering that many of these children will one day choose a college and it would be tragic if their memory of Humboldt State Univeristy was tarnished by the smell of second-hand smoke and the health hazard that would put forth to them.

Lastly, I know that there are many other smoking areas on campus that fill the need of those who have a smoking habit; therefore, the abolishment of the smoking area on the Balabanis quad would not be a great loss to smoking students as there are other smoking areas in relatively close proximity to it. I am currently making efforts to make this happen. I encourage students to let their voice be heard on this issue and email me at jblaine271@gmail.com with their comments and/or questions on the issue.
 

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1 comments

Anonymous

Fri May 28 2010 01:10

Take pictures... I miss Humboldt now that I've graduated and left. You guys need more pics of the campus and surrounding on your site. thank you for being here.... your voices echo mine, even though they're far away.

Jamaica Chenoweth
Grass Valley, Ca

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