Independent student content

BG Falcon Media

Independent student content

BG Falcon Media

Independent student content

BG Falcon Media

Support BG Falcon Media!
As part of BGSU's One Day fundraising effort, every dollar you contribute to Falcon Media will go directly to helping us continue to produce quality content. Every dollar helps. Donate here
The BG News
Follow us on social
BG24 Newscast
March 28, 2024

  • Visiting Author: Sheila Squillante
    Last week, the visiting author, Sheila Squillante, presented the art of creative non-fiction at BGSU. Last year, her memoir came out. From Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA, Squillante visited BGSU, last week. Previously, she has published collections on poetry, but most recently, her memoir, All Things Edible, Random and Odd  was published in 2023. “I […]
  • Petrofiction Review: Oil on Water
    Here’s my review of Oil on Water by Helon Habila – a petrofiction novel which won The Commonwealth Prize and Caine Prize. For context, petrofiction stems from petroleum and fiction. A specific text that focuses on petroleum culture in political economics and environmental impact. Although Habila’s novel begins with a journalist investigating a kidnapping, the […]
Spring Housing Guide

Great Falcon’ smokers protest issue 5

Despite steady rain and cold temperatures, more than 30 students stood huddled together puffing cigars in front of the Union yesterday afternoon.

The students were participating in the Great Falcon Smokeout demonstration, organized by the College Republicans, to show opposition to Issue 5, which will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot and would ban smoking in almost all public places throughout the state, including restaurants, bars and bowling alleys.

As he smoked one of the cigars provided free to the College Republicans by local smoke shops Cut-Rate Tobacco and A Cigar Affair, sophomore John Sengstock said he plans to vote in favor of Issue 4, which would continue to allow smoking in bowling alleys, bingo halls and “any facility from which minors are prohibited,” including bars.

Sengstock also said he hoped the demonstration would inspire onlookers to ask questions about Issues 4 and 5.

“Everybody can see us and what we’re doing here,” he said. “A few people have kind of leered at us, but it’s about spreading our viewpoint.”

For some demonstrators, the right to smoke in public has less to do with the act of smoking itself and more with business owners’ rights.

“This decision should be left up to businesses, not the government,” Conor Kendrick, freshman, said. “It’s the business owners right to decide if smoking will be allowed in a restaurant or bar.”

Still others said the government simply has no good reason to punish smokers for an activity they enjoy.

“I can see where people might think a public smoking ban is good, but in an area as open as a bar, is it really such a big deal if there is smoking?” Matt Saporito, senior, said.

“People’s views are skewed by all kinds of biases,” Sengstock said. “There’s not even any proven fact that secondhand smoke causes cancer.”

Julia Thurston, employee at Cut-Rate Tobacco who attended the demonstration, said voters will ultimately decide what is best for Ohio.

“I think Issue 5 is a little bit out of the ballpark,” she said. “But everyone has their own opinion, and I’m glad we have a choice between the two.”

Leave a Comment
Donate to BG Falcon Media
$825
$1500
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Bowling Green State University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to BG Falcon Media
$825
$1500
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All BG Falcon Media Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *