Tartan

Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: Op-Ed

Media Credit: Susan Sieber

Just a few short years ago when it was fashionable to 'smoke', the aroma of cigarettes and pipes wafted through the corridors of McHenry County College. It seemed as though everyone smoked. It was the thing to do. Radio and television ads penetrated our life-styles to the point that many of us saw no harm in what had become for most of us, an addiction so tenacious that many of us continue to fight it day after day without relief. It was innocent enough at first, but in very short order, the activity of smoking was primary to any other activities. And so it was, the college was in fact, a giant smoker.

When the reform began a few years later, smoking was confined to what we now call, "The Belly of the Whale". Try to imagine today if smoking was permitted there, right in the middle of things. As time passed, the government war against smoking began. Cigarette manufacturers were given time through the process to diversify, and diversify they did. They became the mega-giants they are today with industry from soft drinks, hard liquor, beer, clothing, food stuffs of all kinds, candy, and cigarettes; all of it under one giant corporate roof, where it takes a road map of the global corporate world to figure out who's who, and who owns what. Many times, their own corporate divisions don't know how far reaching their parent companies are. They really diversified!

Back home at MCC, the war against smoking moved the smokers outside. We do not allow smoking, except in certain areas outside the building. The main entrances are clearly marked, "No Smoking at this Entrance". Some people do not adhere to this policy, and are seen smoking, often right under the sign, which is pathetically amusing to some, a sincere annoyance to others, while perhaps yet a significant hindrance to those addicted who are trapped between their addiction and regulation. Most addictions can be treated only when pain and suffering outweighs the satisfaction derived from the substance.

There is a movement underway to move the smokers yet further away from the building. The next logical step toward gaining a 'smoke-free campus' is to keep the smoking inside the vehicle. There's a catch here. Some smokers don't like to smoke in their own cars. They can't stand the smell it leaves. These folks are trapped again. Oh, well, maybe they'll just have to try quitting altogether. Wow! What a concept!

Let's look at the alternative. Let's say you are a smoker of a pack a day. That would mean that you spend on average about $25 per week or $100 per month for cigarettes. Most avid smokers say that this figure is about right. If you were to stop smoking right now, and give all that money, every month without fail, to a money management company, when you reach my age, and chances are you will if you stop smoking now, you could receive a check for over one million dollars. This is one healthy get-rich scheme if there ever was one. Check it out!

The MCC Student Senate is taking up the smoking issue this month. If you have interest in this topic, make your voice heard through your student representatives. Understandably there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, either way; the senate wants to hear your opinion.

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