Jessica Gaskins has it right that smokers should think of others first. I myself do not smoke and I agree with her opinion that it is offensive to inhale the second hand smoke while on campus.

On the other hand, smoking is not illegal, and people have the right to smoke as much as you and I have the right to oppose it.

Gaskins claims that we need to be "proactive, not argumentative and reactive." This is a great suggestion. At the same time though, we need to be realistic in our efforts to make a difference. I do not think that preventing smokers from lighting up in public by isolating them in a "private room" is feasible. I am not positive, but I do not think that people who smoke are going to readily conform to this idea, nor does it seem that building such a facility would be high on the priority list for Penn State.

Maybe the answer lies in respect. Having respect for those that are not smoking that are standing next to you the next time you light up. But at the same time, respect those that are smoking around you. It is their right to smoke if they choose to do so.