I wonder if smokers ever think about where they are when they light up because it sure doesn’t seem like it. It seems they just smoke anywhere, and it doesn’t matter who it effects.

Like a lot of students, I walk everywhere on campus, and it disgusts me to see cigarette butts on the ground. The usual places to smoke have to be Walker Hall and, of course, Starbucks. But wait a second, are people even allowed to smoke in front of buildings?

According to ULM’s smoking policy, no, they aren’t supposed to be smoking there. The policy says: “Each designated area is defined as the 10 foot radius surrounding each tobacco waste receptacle. Each receptacle will be fixed at a minimum distance of 35 feet from any university building.” Basically, no one can smoke in front of a building, and you must smoke where there is a trash can.

Trash cans for cigarette butts are in front of just about every building on campus. It might be that people who smoke don’t know the policy, and therefore just do what comes naturally. Or maybe they don’t care and smoke wherever they please.

The policy also says: “The use of tobacco products is prohibited in outdoor areas where seating is provided.” Now I’m confused. All the places people smoke have seated areas. They really have no choice if the trash cans are right beside the seats.

I’m against smoking on campus because everyone smokes in front of buildings. Sure, it’s convenient, but it doesn’t make it right. I’m allergic, too, so there’s that added bonus.

Maybe arguing for a smoke-free campus is going too far, but some things need to be done. We have many trash cans around campus buildings, but not a lot along walkways and open areas where smokers are supposed to be. Then again, is it that hard to walk 20 to 30 feet to throw away your cigarette? Our campus isn’t one big ash tray. This is a place of higher education, and seeing cigarette remains in the grass is disrespectful.

More trash cans should be installed in the areas not violating the smoking policy. They should also be able to sit somewhere and have a smoke if they want. Adding a covered area so smokers won’t get drenched on rainy days wouldn’t be asking too much.

The policy needs to be enforced as well. It’s sad when the school makes these rules, and our campus doesn’t abide by them.

I don’t think there needs to be cigarette police, but maybe signs saying where you can and cannot smoke would be the only thing needed. For those of us who have medical conditions, this isn’t something to take lightly. People who smoke shouldn’t be shunned, but their chosen habit shouldn’t be inflicted on the rest of us either.