We often see posted signs on doors, walls and bulletin boards about the ban of betel nut chewing and alcohol from the campus, but never did we see any sign about banning cigarette smoking. I believe the reason why we don’t see such signs posted up anywhere in the campus is because many of us are cigarette smokers. Most of us realized and agreed to ban the use of betel nut and alcohol in the campus because of its many disadvantages, and yet we refused to even mention anything about cigarette smoking. Now, why is that? Well, I believe the reason why we overlook this matter is because we don’t want to ban it. However, I strongly believe that if we really are concerned with our students’ health or even our own, then we should realize the importance of panning cigarette smoking from our campus. There are many reasons why I believe Pohnpei Campus should ban cigarette smoking on campus, but I would like to mention three of which I believe are the most important ones.

First, I believe Pohnpei Campus should ban cigarette smoking because it is unhealthy. If you take time out to do a research on how many people died from cigarette smoking related diseases, I’m sure you will be amazed by the great number of deaths that are caused by cigarette smoking. People who smoke never want to admit that smoking is not good for their health, but instead, they try to blame other causes for their loved ones death. However, no matter how hard we may try to defend cigarette smoking, sooner of later we will encounter or suffer the consequences. Unfortunately, pregnant women who smoke are not only hurting themselves, but most importantly, their babies.

Another reason why Pohnpei Campus should ban cigarette smoking is because of second hand smokers. Most smokers don’t seem to care about their neighbors’ health. It is scientifically proven that second hand smoking is twice as dangerous as firsthand smoking. However if you look around in this campus, you will see that those who smoke don’t go to a vacant area to smoke, but instead, they smoke right where other people are around. If we really are concerned with the health or well being of our students, we should not let such activity happen in our campus. We should instill in our students the importance of keeping their lives clean or cigarette smoking free.

Finally the last reason why I believe we should ban cigarette smoking is because we are what Pohnpei Campus is about. In other words, we are the representatives of Pohnpei Campus. Sad to say, but most of the cigarette smokers in our campus are staff or faculty members. Now, how can we expect our students to do right, when we are not good examples. Visitors or others who come to our school should have a positive impression about the school even from seeing the way we act or work. If they see us respect each other by not smoking they would in return respect us, and our campus. We cannot expect them to admire our campus if we don’t seem to respect it.

In conclusion, I would like to restate that we should ban cigarette smoking from Pohnpei Campus. Whether most of us agree to it or not, I am sure it is very important for us to do so.

C. Welles