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According the Centers for Disease Control’s website from 1988 to 2008 the percentage of non-smokers with measurable levels of cotinine in their body’s dropped by over 50 percent. In 2008 the percentage dropped to 40.1 percent is also found on the website.

San Jose City College became a non-smoking campus to reduce the secondhand smoke that other non-smoking students would be exposed to. This poses the question as to why is this policy not being enforced on our campus.

Some might have seen a police officer asking a student to put out their cigarette but I’ve never seen it go any further then that. I’ve never seen a citation issued at all for the violation because it’s not a citable issue unless it’s happening within 25 feet of a building. Evergreen Valley College has smoking sections designated on their campus. Since this policy is a district policy they should add smoking sections to SJCC, just as EVC has.

It is unfair that EVC can meet the needs of both sides of this smoking battle but SJCC cannot. It is bothersome for some people on campus; smoking is an addiction. Many will admit to finding it difficult to not light up and smoke when they feel the urge. As we all know school can sometimes be stressful and smoking is used as a stress reliever.

SJCC needs setup smoking sections instead of suggesting students follow a rule that’s not enforced.