Don’t freak out

Clint Eastwood liked to shoot from the hip.

A lot of people seem to do that at our school, too.

Clint Eastwood also knew how to smoke a mean cigar.

For right now, that's still OK.

Our student, faculty and staff senates are all three considering the possibility of a tobacco-free campus. Some won't care. Some are going to get hot-headed about the issue. And while it's doubtful that this would affect enrollment, it will admittedly have a negative impact on people who spend all day at MSSU.

Before anyone has an instant reaction, consider both sides of the issue.

Rarely does anyone follow the current smoking policy, which asks smokers to stand at least 50 feet from the doors of campus buildings. A smoke-free campus probably wouldn't be seen as necessary by some if current smokers followed the rules. And on top of that, it's practically impossible to enforce the current smoking policy.

But even with smokers standing outside the doors, the situation isn't terribly inconvenient. Smoking is a personal choice. Yes, it's unhealthy, addictive and expensive. But it's a choice. Briefly passing through smoke a few times a week might not be worth infringing on a personal freedom.

Staff Senate President Erik Hilgendorf said he'd like to see a public forum on a tobacco-free campus before any decisions are made.

That sounds like a good idea to us, too.

There's good and bad to a tobacco ban. Let's understand both sides before things turn ugly.