Why isn’t UTSA a smoke free campus? Everyday I walk through the UTSA (courtyard)  to the gagging inhalation of someone’s cigarette.

Whether it is at the downtown campus or at the 1604 campus, there is so much to be said about this issue.

Don’t get me wrong; I have great respect for a persons choice to smoke. After all it is their choice, but how about my choice not to smoke?

With all the studies conducted about the harmful effects of second hand smoke, you’d think that UTSA would consider making the campuses smoke free.

Something else to consider might be the cleanliness of our campuses. I don’t know how many times I have seen students throw their cigarette butts on the ground.

I feel sympathy for those who have to pick them up. I have seen maintenance personnel all around the campus picking up after us when we are suppose to be picking up after ourselves.

I know that, as students, we pay a maintenance fee for everything that we do on campus, but does that mean that we have to make it harder for them by throwing cigarette butts on the ground.

 So why doesn’t UTSA consider making the campuses smoke free? I think it can be done. In fact, the ACCD colleges (San Antonio College, St. Philips College, Northwest Vista College, etc.) did it, so why can’t UTSA?
 

Jackie Chacon
Math/Science