Letter to the Editor: Ads in paper should reflect smoking ban
Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: Opinion
The following is a letter to the editor submitted by Bruce F. Elving.
In view of UMD's efforts to be a smoke-free campus, let me suggest that the policy of the Statesman be changed so as to discourage tobacco use. I speak especially of a place near the mall that apparently provides lucrative advertising to the campus newspaper, mentioning low prices on tobacco and accessories, including hookahs.
I called the business in question and suggested they advertise other products, and was told to "get a life." Well, I am trying to get a life by pointing out that if a person chooses to quit smoking, their life will most likely be longer, free of having to support a costly vice with greater sensitivity to various flavors and aromas, and helping the health care system with reductions in medical costs.
This and similar businesses could turn their promotion into more positive directions. Their profits should be sufficient that they need not prey upon vulnerable students and others and become good corporate citizens by supporting UMD's efforts to curb on-campus smoking. There would still be plenty of sales to be made, as other retailers, such as Target, stop offering tobacco products.
It's appropriate that UMD institute a campus-wide smoke-free policy. David Willoughby, CEO Clear Way Minnesota, wrote in the Oct. 24 Duluth News Tribune that the statewide smoking rate is at a new low of 17 percent (better than the national average, which is about 20 percent); however, the highest rates are college-age people 18 to 24.
As a long-ago graduate of UMD and one who is involved in publishing and other media, I detest censorship and can sympathize with the Statesman for not wanting to reduce its advertising revenue, but I perceive merit in adopting a policy of not accepting advertising or underwriting which so clearly violates UMD's smoke-free endeavors.
In view of UMD's efforts to be a smoke-free campus, let me suggest that the policy of the Statesman be changed so as to discourage tobacco use. I speak especially of a place near the mall that apparently provides lucrative advertising to the campus newspaper, mentioning low prices on tobacco and accessories, including hookahs.
I called the business in question and suggested they advertise other products, and was told to "get a life." Well, I am trying to get a life by pointing out that if a person chooses to quit smoking, their life will most likely be longer, free of having to support a costly vice with greater sensitivity to various flavors and aromas, and helping the health care system with reductions in medical costs.
This and similar businesses could turn their promotion into more positive directions. Their profits should be sufficient that they need not prey upon vulnerable students and others and become good corporate citizens by supporting UMD's efforts to curb on-campus smoking. There would still be plenty of sales to be made, as other retailers, such as Target, stop offering tobacco products.
It's appropriate that UMD institute a campus-wide smoke-free policy. David Willoughby, CEO Clear Way Minnesota, wrote in the Oct. 24 Duluth News Tribune that the statewide smoking rate is at a new low of 17 percent (better than the national average, which is about 20 percent); however, the highest rates are college-age people 18 to 24.
As a long-ago graduate of UMD and one who is involved in publishing and other media, I detest censorship and can sympathize with the Statesman for not wanting to reduce its advertising revenue, but I perceive merit in adopting a policy of not accepting advertising or underwriting which so clearly violates UMD's smoke-free endeavors.
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