Smoking Ban in Iowa

Smoking Ban in Iowa

No Smoking at WIT
The place I am focusing on for this case is Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City Iowa. Earlier in the year of 2008 WIT stated that there would be no smoking allowed around their campus. This obviously flared up its fair share of supporters and non supporters. Some of the non supporters are asking if it is fair for the college to say what they can and cannot do in a public place. So is it ok for WIT to say no smoking on campus? I think they have every right to.
According to Utilitarianism, when making a decision you should choose the one that results in the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. Although there are smokers who attend the college, the number of nonsmokers outweighs them. Therefore, the greatest number of happiness would be brought to those nonsmokers who no longer have to inhale horrible second hand smoke. That alone could cause cancer, respiratory infections, and asthma, and those are the effects on the nonsmokers! Inhaling the smoke that lingers in the air hours after cigarettes have been extinguished can cause damage to blood vessels, and reduce heart rate variability. Secondhand smoke alone causes almost 50,000 deaths in nonsmokers every year, including about 3,400 from lung cancer and 22,700-69,600 from heart disease. By banning smoking around the campus, the college reduces the garbage in and around their campus. Now visitors to the college will not see dirty cigarette butts in the grass or next to the doorways, which makes the college appearance better to first time students and visitors. So, for WIT to say no smoking is OK!
However, on the basis of self-interest, the smokers of WIT could fight their point of view. This tells us that each person should do what is in their own best interest, because that is what is most important. Many smokers smoke for the social aspect and the relaxing effects the nicotine has on them, which many college students might benefit from in challenging...

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