Dear Editor,

I am a concerned student looking out for the health and well being on those within our campus community.

I feel this is my obligation since it is my last semester to speak out and voice my opinion about why UW-Whitewater should be tobacco free.

A tobacco-free policy will enhance the culture and make our campus cleaner.

According to the CDC 443,000 fatalities related to smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke occurs each year in the United States.

Another 8.6 million people live with a serious illness caused by smoking.

Smoking is the most preventable cause of disease, yet we still allow it to happen around us all the time.

UW-Whitewater should be tobacco-free because non-smokers have the right to breathe in clean air. 71% of students agree that UWW should implement a tobacco-free policy.

By smoking on campus you choose to spread over 7,000 chemicals to people who do not consent to breathe in second-hand smoke.

50,000 deaths occur each year from second-hand smoke alone.

Is it fair to the majority of our students who choose to live a tobacco free life?

By creating our campus to be a tobacco-free zone this will be a safe place for students trying to quit.

By not allowing these chemicals on our campus we will have cleaner air quality.

Across the U.S., 1,477 campuses have chosen to be tobacco free.

A tobacco-free environment provides motivation and support so individuals can quit for good.

Lets make the right move toward a more clean and healthy university.

– Karly Modesti
Senior
Corporate & Health
Communications