Focus on health, not convenience

Editor:

This is in response to “Student: Smoking outside is his right.”

I agree, wholeheartedly, that it is your right to smoke, just like it’s my right to consume caffeine drinks, which probably isn’t in the best interests of my health.

We all have habits, some that may be good, and others that are bad. But, maybe instead of being upset over a student’s column you should focus more on the long-term effects of smoking.

I know you don’t want to hear what I’m about to say, but I think I can speak from experience.

I use to have an easy-going attitude towards smoking, and, by no means, do I think anyone who smokes is a bad person. They aren’t. But ever since I watched my own mother die from the abuse of smoking, never again will I pick up a cigarette. It know it may sound silly to you, but I may have never had to lose my mother at the age of 18 had she never picked up a cigarette.

I watched my own mother, of all the people in this world, gradually die. It causes me much sorrow and pain to know she isn’t going to be here to see me graduate, marry or have children. You and other students have this blessing. I don’t anymore. In addition, you may say this or that “can’t happen to me,” but, indeed, it can. So, please reconsider where you put your focus when it comes to this issue.

Thank you,

Renee Beckman

Sophomore

Nursing

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 18 2005. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry