Indianapolis International Airport, it would appear, has become one of the latest institution to strike a blow at cigarette smokers. They have done so by banning all smoking at the airport, inside as well as out, by January 1, 2008, save for those people working on the construction of the new terminal.
While non-smokers cheer at their right to breath clean air being upheld and smokers clamor to cry foul and claim abuse, if we take a step back we can see that this move could truly end up benefiting all involved.
As far as a person's individual rights are concerned, this issue truly does put smokers on the bottom rung of society's ladder. They are being told to change their way of life and it in many ways is not fair. Who are we to tell anyone what they can or cannot do? In a day and age where personal rights and personal privacy are constantly declared as being under attack, is this a blow to personal liberties? Perhaps the designated smoking rooms were enough. As with most any issue, though, there are two sides.
To most non-smokers, it is a truly disgusting experience to have to walk through a cloud of tar and carbon monoxide. The smell is one that stays in your nose and on your clothes. In addition to the stench of smoking that is imposed on non-smokers, the factor of health is one that must be examined as well. Study after study tells us of the absolutely detrimental effects that smoking has on the body. Cancer, emphysema, heart disease and high blood pressure are just a few of the seeming endless ailments tied to smoking.
As much of a right as people have to smoke if they choose, the rest of us have a right to be safe and that includes being safe from second-hand smoke.
I also see in this new ban what is perhaps a business opportunity for restaurants and bars located near the airport. This could be a great chance for those area establishments to exclusively cater to smokers, thereby turning the airport's ban into a whole new market. We have seen something similar to this in the Village in the past year.
As smoking bans were passed, some places chose to circumvent the ban altogether.
Bars in the Village chose a side and it seems that for all involved this has worked out well. Those patrons who wish for a place to sit and eat without having to smell of smoke can do so and those wishing to smoke can do so without being harassed.
I don't really understand why the airport couldn't take this approach. Instead of banning smoking and angering so many travelers, why can't there be a compromise? It seems shortsighted to think that banning smoking will have no ill effect on business at the airport.
As Ball State officials approach the idea of an outright smoking ban, hopefully they will look for another solution that will please all involved and isolate no one. Officials should take a lesson from those who have banned smoking and see if there is a way to please all parties.
We all have a right to breathe clean air and not smell like a pack of smokes, but if we start denying people their rights it's hard to determine how it will end.
Write to Alex at apcarroll@bsu.edu
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