By Jarratt Robinson
Contributor
The smoking benches by Markenstein Hall should remain open to smokers.
These benches are a way for students to alleviate the stress of school as well as developing lasting relationships with other students they might not have ever met if it were not for the designated smoking areas. Every student can tell you that attending college is extremely stressful especially when a big project or exam is around the corner. Every student deals with that stress in different ways and smokers handle that stress with the vice of having a cigarette. Ask yourself a question, when you have been studying and going to classes for a few hours straight, what do you do to take a mental break? Well smokers enjoy a cigarette during those breaks. Also, the Markenstein benches are placed in an area that has minimal effect on others because it is in an open area that has optimal time to dissipate second hand smoke.
Another benefit of the smoking area is the relationships that develop with other smokers. Smoking is a social habit and you can see that by just walking past Markenstein benches or any other designated smoking area on campus. For instance, I have met many people at the Markenstein benches and made friendships that will last a lifetime. All of that was possible by CSUSM forcing smokers to only smoke in designated areas. One aspect of college beyond obtaining a degree is developing friendships and relationships that can last a lifetime. The designated smoking areas do serve that purpose for the student smoking community.
Furthermore, I personally witnessed this sense of togetherness on the first day of classes back from a summer break. There was a group of people I routinely saw throughout the spring semester, well on the first day of campus it was joyous because we all were back together. Our discussion became so lively I noticed people passing looking at us as if we were crazy, but that is the smoking area. The group of people that convene there have the most in-depth thought provoking discussions whether it be something we learned in class, interesting topics in the news, teachers to take and avoid, or even just joking around with each other.
Making the campus smoke-free I do not believe is the answer. I think a win-win situation needs to be sought out to make all parties happy. Maybe that means moving the Markenstein benches into the dirt lot that is 150 feet to the south. Maybe a new style of smoking area needs to be planned. One solution that Paradise Valley Hospital created was having an enclosed smoking area with a vent fan which sucked up smoke and make surrounding areas more pleasant. Solutions are available but they need to be researched. The designated smoking areas are, like Markenstein benches, an integral part of college for the select few that enjoy the habit of smoking.
Nick Flores • Oct 31, 2013 at 2:37 pm
The issue seems to be about smoking in general, imho. As a response to the obvious anti-smoking (not anti-Markstein benches/smoking area placement) article, I think this is perfect. It seems that non-smokers want to cite everything wrong about smoking while persecuting those of us who make the decision to do so, and we have no recourse. With that said, the school (ie, GOVERNMENT) has no right to tell us we can’t enjoy a smoke. Just because I make the choice to do something that you have chosen not to doesn’t mean I have no rights. I am not advocating smoking (it is most definitely a bad habit), but I am advocating the right to choose and the freedom to do so without being ostrasized for it. The article that Jarratt wrote in response to would have smokers corralled and euthanized or cleansed. Mr. Robinson, way to keep it on topic – a well-worded, intelligent and courteous reply.
Chris Deatrick • Oct 25, 2013 at 9:41 pm
The issue here is not whether or not smoking should be allowed on campus. The issue is the designated smoking area placement of the benches. I have classes in the Markenstein hall which I enter and exit using the door nearest to the smoking area and I do find a heavy odor of cigarette smoke wafting through the walkways between Markenstein and the benches. I do not discount the fact that school can be stressful and people handle that stress in different ways. In addition, I do not doubt the social aspect of it. Perhaps, a better solution would be to relocate the benches or have a wall built to manipulate the cigarette smoke away from the walkways.