WANTED: A SLICK, sleazy attorney that specializes in the defense of society̢۪s lowest life form. Apparently, I need one. I am a smoker.
That̢۪s right, I admitted it.
And some of you would admit it too, except for the fear of being quarantined to the remote corners of the campus to the dreaded approved smoking areas, where the saints pass by silently scolding us sinners as we partake in our dirty deed.
The topic appears in the paper almost as often as the parking issue.
What is to be done with these smokers and how does everyone feel about it?
My recent shame-inspired anger on the issue comes from the Campus Speak section of the opinion page that was published in The Collegian on Sept. 7 wherein a reporter asked the campus at large how they felt about smoking on campus.
Shockingly enough, the eight students polled didn̢۪t feel much.
But I did. The smokers out there did too.
And I may not be an attorney, but I will definitely defend myself and those I have seen hiding behind trees desperately trying to not be seen smoking before that two-hour chemistry lab.
I am not a criminal. I am not a disease. I̢۪m not interested in blowing smoke in your face or flicking the remains of my cigarette all over your world.
I am not luring your children into a life of corruption and I am not a burden to society.
I am smart. I am functioning. I̢۪m self-sufficient. My parents are proud of me. And the last time I checked, the money that I have worked so hard for to pay my tuition is just as green as a non-smoker̢۪s.
So why do I feel singled out and less of a student and human being because I have a nasty habit?
Let me make it clear that I am in no way advocating smoking.
In fact, if you have never smoked a cigarette, do yourself a favor and keep it that way.
Smoking is not cool. It’s not glamorous. It is an immense waste of money and time. Time meaning all the years later in life you may not be around for — the years you force yourself not to think about when you inhale.
My point is this: according to the University of Michigan’s Student Life Survey in 2004, 30 percent of the students were smokers — rates that were lower than the national average. Health officials at the university also explained that cigarettes were psychologically addictive and habitual and a lot more complicated than people understood.
I don̢۪t think our university understands that and would rather deal with smokers by restricting them to areas where they don̢۪t have to deal with them.
Maybe I am just old, but I remember a time when you could still smoke in restaurants. Now, we can̢۪t even smoke outside. Maybe someday we won̢۪t even be allowed to smoke in the country.
Choice. Personal freedom. Unalienable rights. Respecting other̢۪s choices, freedoms and rights.
Ah heck, who needs democracy anyway?
Megan O̢۪Laughlin is a senior at Fresno State majoring in Mass Communication and Journalism with an option in print journalism. Though she has an account, Megan tells us she hasn̢۪t checked her Myspace in a really long time. We believe her.