I thought I knew how long 20 feet was, but apparently I was wrong. There’s a sign posted clearly on the doors of Malott Hall, which says, “SMOKE-FREE ENTRANCE: No smoking within 20 feet.” Yet every morning when I trudge up, I pass through a cloud of smoke, courtesy of a crowd of smokers huddled not three feet from the door.

I understand it’s cold and windy, and not the best condition to feed your habit. I’m sure smokers feel they should be able to smoke without snow blowing into their face or rain extinguishing their cigarettes. But the non-smoking students and faculty shouldn’t be punished by their decision to smoke. We deserve to be able to walk to class in a smoke-free environment. Thankfully, some organizations are starting to respect that.

On Sept. 1 of last year, the University of Kansas Medical Center’s campus became smoke-free. This may seem like a drastic or controversial decision, but it’s necessary if smokers refuse to follow posted restrictions. Most workplaces — approximately 70 percent, according to the American Lung Association — have gone to a smoke-free policy. Though much of campus is outside, we all still have to walk to class. There’s no way around that. Therefore, the entire campus can be seen as one entity, much like an office, which is why it’s not unreasonable to make the entire campus smoke-free.

Some may view this as a restriction of personal liberties. However, smoking does not affect only you. When someone smokes a cigarette, he or she is also forcing others to accept the consequences of the bad decision. According to the American Lung Association, even short exposure to second-hand smoke can cause “blood platelets to become stickier, damage the lining of blood vessels, decrease coronary flow velocity reserves, and reduce heart rate variability.” As a result, non-smokers that are exposed to secondhand smoke regularly are 25 percent more likely to have coronary heart diseases. Secondhand smoke also contains many of the same chemicals found in first-hand smoke, such as “formaldehyde, vinyl chloride and arsenic ammonia.” According to Cancer Research UK, an independent organization dedicated to cancer research, arsenic ammonia kills the lungs’ cilia, tiny hairs that line the airways and clear toxins. With fewer cilia, it’s much easier for toxic chemicals to stick in the lungs. Non-smokers are being subjected to similar health risks, but we have no choice in the matter so I have no sympathy for smokers who complain about the possibility of not being able to smoke on campus.

Hopefully, the University will eventually recognize the benefits of making our campus smoke-free. Until that happens, smokers should obey posted restrictions. I’m sorry that smokers have an addiction that needs to be fed, but my lungs are pink, and I’d like to keep them that way. Smoke if you must. Just don’t do it where other people have to breathe your smoke against their will.

Gentry is a Kansas City, Kan., sophomore in English.