Put It Out

At The University of Long Beach State, the regulations of smoking on campus have been slightly disregarded by the students. Although there are multiple signs posted stating which areas are "no-smoking" zones, the students continue to do as they please, and all the cigarette butts littering the ground lay as proof.

Cigarette Butt on Campus
Photo Credit: Kellie Reince

According to the campus Policy for a Smoke-Free Campus Environment listed at CSULB.edu, a majority of the campus has been listed as a prohibited area of smoking. Such areas include: administrative offices, private offices, laboratories, classrooms, conference rooms, auditoria, lounges, theatres, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, restrooms, libraries, waiting rooms, reception areas, university vehicles, machine shops, elevators and food service areas.

"It is such a giveaway when someone else is smoking around school, they can't really hide the cigarette because the smoke travels in the air," Kimberli Ann, a fourth year Human Development major said, "it's really annoying to breath in the secondhand smoke."

Cigarette Butt on Campus
Photo Credit: Kellie Reince

Not only is smoking a main contributor to lung cancer and other diseases, but it is unhealthy for students to be starting a habit while their are so young and still growing. The earlier students engage in the habit, they longer it may stick with them. According to Quit-Smoking-Stop.com, one in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit, and half of these deaths will occur in middle age.

"I feel like sometimes teens and students will smoke in public for the 'cool factor' as if they need to prove they are an adult or something, " Kimberli continues, "it's worse when they just throw the butts on the ground. Our campus is too pretty for that!"

Long Beach State is definitely recognized for its beautiful and well-kept landscape. The maintenance of our campus is always above standards, and students should respect the property by not littering it with their cigarette butts. Not only will students be ticketed for smoking in a prohibited area, but it is possible to be fined for intentional littering as well.