IU shouldn’t enforce morality

I recently received an e-mail from Karen Hanson, provost and executive vice president, which included a link to the University’s new tobacco policy, effective Jan. 1, 2008: In an effort to provide a “healthier work and learning environment for our entire campus community,” the University has mandated that all campuses be smoke-free. The new policy prohibits the use of tobacco products on University-owned, -operated or -leased property. What a bold and wonderful policy. I can only hope it is as effective as IU’s determination to maintain a dry campus.\nI abhor the use of tobacco and cringe at the thought of my friends’ and family members’ exposure to its terrible health risks. Moreover, I can’t stand walking behind someone puffing a square in my face on my way to class. I’m clearly incapable of avoiding it. It’s disgusting and appalling ... like grossly overeating at the campus Burger King, or talking during my science lecture or having unprotected, casual sex with several partners, all of which must somehow affect my health and my personal learning experience. There are University policies prohibiting those behaviors, right?\nTobacco is bad and everyone knows it. But, it is personal choice. It is prohibited in campus buildings. At that point, I’m satisfied as a nonsmoker. Maybe the administration should try cracking down on the 30-foot smoking rule before it spends tuition money instituting another unenforceable policy.\nBrett VonEwegen\nIU senior