As a survivor of childhood cancer, I never thought I would write an article defending smokers, but here I am.

Recently it has become in vogue for policymakers ”” especially of the California and New York varieties ”” to target groups that they deem harmful to “public health.”

Two of the most recent of these groups are the chronically obese and smokers.

The entire nation became aware of this micromanaging when Michael Bloomberg’s now infamous New York soda-size regulations came to light.

Americans saw the absurdity of those regulations because they were soda drinkers, themselves. They enjoyed drinking soda and couldn’t fathom why a billionaire mayor deserved to force his messianic gospel of health on everyone else.

This year, that same “healthier than thou” mentality has come to our California State University (CSU) system.

In January of this year, the Academic Senate of the California State University (ASCSU), which is essentially the academic senate for the entire CSU system, approved a resolution calling for all CSU campuses to become smoke free.

California State University Fullerton one-upped the ASCSU by implementing a smoke-free campus on its own this August.

According to CSU Fullerton this was done simply for the health of smokers and to guard non-tobacco users against second-hand smoke.

However, this is where the double-think comes into play.

The CSU Fullerton website states that not only are you banned from smoking on the campus itself, but you are also banned from smoking inside your own car while parked in the university parking lot.

If you are only harming yourself while smoking in your car, then why bother with the policy at all? Why not ban staying up too late, drinking too much caffeine or having unprotected sex if you live in the dorms?

College students do all of the aforementioned unhealthy activities far more often than smoking, an activity that has continued to decline in popularity. How about we ban those instead?

The bureaucrats in the CSU system know that they can get away with bullying and discriminating against smokers because smoking is unpopular.

This crusade is simply an opportunity for policymakers to hold up a shining achievement amid rising costs associated with college.

Why, then, is a survivor of cancer supporting the right for smokers to smoke in designated areas?

Because much to the chagrin of mini dictators like Michael Bloomberg, I gulp too much soda, guzzle too much caffeine and gobble too much saturated fat. I know the health risks. I am not stupid. I am not a child. The bureaucrats do not own my body or your body.

As long as smokers stick to smoking areas, do they not deserve the right to damage their own bodies in the way that they see fit?

If such a smoking policy came to Fresno State not only would its overreach be laughable, but it would also be extremely impractical.

First, there is the problem of enforceability. Are we going to ask a campus police force that is already stretched thin protecting us against sex offenders, robbery and gang activity to flick cigarettes from people’s hands?

Secondly, there is the cost. Carlos Navarro, chief administrative officer for Associated Students Inc. at CSU Fullerton, states that more than $116,000 has been allocated to implement the campuswide smoke-free policy.

Now I’m not sure about you, but I can think of three different things off the top of my head that Fresno State could do with that type of money that would have more impact,

1. Give more scholarships for deserving low-income students.

2. Hire more campus police officers.

3. Fix the massive cracks on campus walkways, something that poses more of a risk to cyclists and skateboarders than smoking ever will.

Finally, a nonsmoking policy will harm the productivity and education of both Fresno State employees and students as most smokers require nicotine to soothe nerves or to focus.

Imagine a chemistry student who can’t focus while handling dangerous chemicals, or a financial aid officer who enters in the wrong data in your file because he or she hasn’t had a morning cigarette.

There is no doubt that smoking is harmful, but making smokers feel hated on campus doesn’t help anyone.

Andrew McMillan is a sophomore majoring in business administration. He is the president of the Fresno State chapter of Young Americans for Liberty.