In response to the proposed smoking ban, Ball State University students protested throughout the day Friday on the corner of McKinley and Riverside avenues.
About 15 students were in attendance and said they began demonstrating about 8 a.m. and were still protesting at 4 p.m.
Sophomore hospitality major Meagon Lefkakis said the students were not protesting the recent Student Government Association poll in which more than 4,000 of the 6,629 students who participated agreed with the proposed smoking ban.
"[The SGA poll] was a very good idea, but it shouldn't be an issue at all." Lefkakis said. "You should have your choice if you want to smoke and if you don't want to smoke."
Sophomore criminal justice major Daniel Polikoff said he hopes last Friday's demonstration "stirs up awareness about the importance of the issue."
"It's about civil liberties," Polikoff said. "The fewer number need to be heard."
Sophomore advertising major Nick Armogida said it is imperative students who oppose the ban make sure their voice is heard, regardless of whether they smoke.
"We're not going to take this sitting down," Armogida said. "Last year, a lot of people were out here in support of the ban, but not many were here against it. We want to get the word out before it goes too far."
Lefkakis said the current rule prohibiting smoking within 30 feet of campus buildings should be followed, but she said that would change if the smoking ban is passed.
"I personally wouldn't listen to it," she said. "Students are going to smoke more then because it's cool because you're not supposed to. I don't know if it has to do with the proposed ban, but I've seen a lot more people smoking lately."
Armogida said the smoking ban would inhibit the social lives of many smokers on campus.
"You're getting rid of a lot of social interaction among people," he said. "For some people, the only thing that calms them down is a cigarette."
Armogida said the proposed smoking ban also would only add to the existing problem of smokers being looked at like "the scum of the earth."
"The campus already told us they don't want us here," he said. "We pay the school to educate, not regulate."
Lefkakis said some of the same students who demonstrated on Friday also might demonstrate on Sept. 21 at the same location.
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