I am sick and tired of people smoking. Literally. I, along with many others, am tired of being subjected to people who choose to smoke outside of busy doorways or while walking through thick crowds of people (and it is not only due to my allergies to cigarette smoke).
It distresses me that there is a petition going around amongst the pro-cancer/hedonism/smoking crowd at Marquette against the proposed public smoking ban in Wisconsin.
If passed, according to yahoo.com, Wisconsin would become the 23rd state to have such a law. Also, some 29 foreign countries have passed a variant of the legislation, including Canada, Cuba, Denmark, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden and most recently France and the United Kingdom; the list goes on and continues to grow.
Unlike these countries, the U.S. is failing to protect the rights of its citizens by allowing people to consume and spread lethal toxins in the midst of peers without facing heavy fines and penalties. We do not allow people to walk around spraying pesticide into each other's faces, so why should we stand for the same action in another form?
In many countries you can be charged with attempted murder if you knowingly spread HIV to others. Why is it legal to knowingly spread cigarette-related diseases and cancer to others? I have news for you: The Weapons of Mass Destruction are here and they cost about $3 a pack!
As a nonsmoker I am entitled to a breath of clean air when I step outside. It is part of living in society that we agree not to harm one another. While harm may still exist in some forms, we have a clear chance and duty to eliminate one of the greatest offenders.
If people want to congregate in their home or apartment and light up a few, then go for it (although suicide is illegal here in Wisconsin).
The fact that the bill would ban smoking in many restaurants and establishments is also very important. I am tired of being a second-class citizen.
I am tired of "smoking sections" that are ineffective and rules that lack any semblance of enforcement (smokers must stand at least 30 feet from doorway, anyone?).
My travel, work and entertainment options and rights are subjugated to the will of a reckless and shortsighted few who are determined to assert their present hegemony bent on temporary and self-destructive self-fulfillment over the health of their families and those unlucky enough to be caught downwind. It needs to stop NOW.
But thank God: The bill looks like it will pass. It was proposed by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle and a version of it was first proposed by the then state Republican Congress a year or two back (before being curiously vetoed by Doyle). So my message to smokers is simple – puff away now while you still can. Your days are numbered and people will no longer tolerate your dirty, disgusting and dangerous habit. And no, I will not sign your petition.
Grieve is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.