Although I have only been a full-time student at Skyline for less than a month, I’ve already seen the long time epidemic mar the pristine backdrop of the school. Copious amounts of students often fill the air around campus with cigarette smoke after a class period, leaving an unmistakable trail of odor and butts.Despite being a smear on the beauty of the school itself, an even more pressing matter is the effect these smokers have on the non-smoking population of this institution. Students often have to either hold their breath while unavoidably passing a smoker to reach class, or are forced to take an alternative route altogether. This happens way too often. Every student I’ve interviewed for this article claimed that they’ve been subjected to inhaling second hand smoke at one time or another. The new designated zones have done little to help the situation, as smokers still habitually smoke in front of doors, trashcans, and while walking to class. Often times, they can be seen smoking everywhere but the new zones. Efforts to move ashtrays to the designated zones in hopes of discouraging smoking outside of those areas have also failed. As evident by the numerous butts scattered across campus. Professor Colombetti, a philosophy instructor at Skyline, has noted that the signs are insufficient in getting the smokers to follow the new policy.A number of smokers against the new policy have stated that it is their right and freedom of expression to smoke.”I feel that it [the policy] is inhibiting our rights and freedom to smoke,” said Duncan, a student and long-time smoker, when asked about how he feels about the new policy. However, he also takes special caution to not smoke near places where non-smokers might pass by. “It’s common courtesy,” said Duncan. He also mentions a main reason why smokers do not abide by the new policy is because it is inconvenient for them to reach one of the five areas in order to smoke, and then still have time to get to class.When does the freedom to express oneself end and social responsibility begin? When asked about this question, Stephen, a student who did not want to reveal his last name, said that, “Smokers should consider others before themselves.” Despite the never-ending argument between where it is acceptable to smoke, many non-smokers simply want to be uninhibited by the inevitable second hand smoke they encounter every day. Each time a smoker takes the pleasure of “lighting up,” another student is hurt by the second hand smoke that they’ve been forced to inhale. The truth is, non-smokers are the ones being subjugated and silenced, not the smokers who claim to have their rights taken away.As students of this institution, we are all entitled to receive the same rights as everyone else, as well as the responsibility of abiding by the same laws. Smokers who violate the policies of this college are not only harming themselves for smoking, but also harming others due to their inconsiderate behavior. Therefore, it is only fair that smokers are given a higher degree of convenience via more designated areas, but also be prosecuted when these policies are infracted upon.