Yesterday Bowling Green residents and University students turned out at the polls to vote. One controversial issue that passed was the initiative for a ban on smoking in public places. As expected, there are students on campus who support, dispute, or merely accept the ban.
“I thought (the ban) was great,” said sophomore Chuck Girmann. “When you’re in a restaurant and there are others smoking, the smoke invades your booth, physically, in a way that things like drinking and conversation do not.”
Other students, such as senior Lea Daniels, agree.
“In restaurants, smoking and nonsmoking sections often are not separated.” This bothers Daniels, a personal trainer at the Student Recreation Center, particularly since “secondhand smoke increases your risk of cancer.”
Sophomore David Anderson feels even more threatened by smoke.
“Being around smoke is not good for my health, but especially as a singer, smoke is not good for my voice,” said Anderson, a member of the Men’s Chorus.
However, smoking is an issue that many students hold dear to their lips. They oppose strongly the ban.
“I don’t go to bars, but I do enjoy going to Big Boy and the Waffle House with my friends to eat, drink – and smoke,” junior Nick Moore said. “My rights will be infringed upon by this ban as much as any nonsmoker’s would by my smoking.”
Moore even predicts an undesirable side effect.
“I think it will hurt business. Travelers will find it oppressive and will travel down the road.”
Even political candidates weighed in on the issue. Greg Amend, losing candidate for First Ward Council, followed his Republican party lines.
“From a conservative standpoint, I don’t think we need city government telling small business owners how to run their businesses,” said Amend. “Personally, I voted against it; I won’t lie. The people of the city have spoken, though.”
However, a lot of students feel ambivalence toward the issue. Many nonsmokers do not care.
“As a nonsmoker, it doesn’t matter to me,” junior Danielle Peralta said.
“But it will upset a lot of my friends who smoke,” added Peralta.