Beekeepers traditionally employ a mechanism known as a “smoker” to calm bees. In essence, it produces fumes by burning certain fuels in order to calm the bees so a keeper can do work on the hive. Remarkably, this technique works on humans as well; in fact, some estimates say that as much as a fifth of the world’s population inflict it on themselves in the form of cigarette smoke. This is in spite of numerous studies describing the health issues that smoking causes, warnings from the surgeon general on every nicotine product sold in the United States, and numerous other assorted cautions.
We aren’t going to dwell on its prevalence, or even make a case that people stop smoking; the decision to quit is a personal one, and we will neither condone nor condemn it. Tobacco is a vice that we can’t hope to combat. We would, however, ask that those who do choose to partake of it do so in a manner that is respectful to those around them and the community as a whole. There are few everyday things more unpleasant—or unhealthy—for a non-smoker than walking through a cloud of noxious fumes. The New York State Clean Indoor Air Act of 2003 ensures that indoor environments stay relatively clean, but one step outside can place an unwitting passerby into a toxic haze.
So if you’re going to step out for a smoke, please be courteous to your neighbors. Move out of the way of doors, so that you aren’t disturbing people coming out of the building. If you are walking or there’s a breeze, be mindful that the smell will carry—often pretty far. Don’t congregate in high traffic areas. And above all, simply look out for others, and be aware that the habit might make them very uncomfortable.
Another possibility that we as a community may want to consider is to make this an entirely smoke-free campus. We could follow the lead of the campus of the Albany Medical Center, which became completely smoke-free on January 1. Such a move would make the campus generally more comfortable, and certainly more healthy for all, and it would demonstrate our commitment to an excellent environment for work and study.
