To the editor:

I am taking a course at Kansas University on drugs and alcohol in society. From this course, I have learned how dangerous and unhealthy cigarettes can be. Smoking poses a problem both for the smoker and the nonsmoker. But smokers make the decision to endanger the people around them when they smoke. Nonsmokers should not have to cater to the needs of a smoker.

I rarely go out on the weekends just because I don’t want to be around the smoke. It leaves a horrendous smell on your clothing, it irritates your throat and your eyes, and it can cause cancer. Smokers need to take their smoke to a location where they are not infringing on others’ lives. Smoking should be banned in public places.

The recent smoking-ban issue in Lawrence is something that everyone should take seriously. A lot more than money is at stake here. People’s health and well-being is the main issue. Business owners fear they are going to lose money, but in reality they will benefit from the ban. Nonsmokers will be more willing to go to establishments where they can eat and have fun without having to worry about being around smoke. Smokers are used to being places where they cannot smoke, like their work, schools and stores. The ban will not keep smokers from eating out and going to bars. Why should smokers put their uncontrollable bad habits before others’ health and freedom?

Lara Hawks,

Edgerton