2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsLetter: SMASH paints ugly, unfair picture of smokers
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Opinion
SMASH has struck a nerve with me. As a smoker, I am not completely against this organization. Their motives are just and their goals are noble. However, SMASH has taken a step way over the line.
I recently discovered a pamphlet that had been distributed to the campus at large. This printed document outlined the reasons why non-smokers were better than smokers when it came to Valentine's Day activities.
SMASH implies that, if you do smoke, you taste disgusting, you smell, have bad teeth, are terrible in the sack and are a person who puts smoking above your loved ones. That paints a very ugly picture of me and the other smokers around campus.
What SMASH has printed is, by legal definition, libel. This printed document has no other purpose than to defame an entire group of people around campus. This is not meeting SMASH's stated goals. In fact, SMASH's own Facebook group states that, "We are working to educate our peers on the health hazards of secondhand smoke and working to promote respect from both sides on this issue." How is portraying your opposition as smelly, gross, think-for-yourselfers trying to be respectful?
SMASH has taken a position directly in contrast to their stated goals. So, not only are they writing defamatory things about people based on their personal choice (which, by the way, violates the University's Non-Discrimination Policy) but they're counteracting their own stated motives by creating a hostile environment in which to have the discussion about on-campus smoking.
Maxwell Knocke
sophomore, undeclared
I recently discovered a pamphlet that had been distributed to the campus at large. This printed document outlined the reasons why non-smokers were better than smokers when it came to Valentine's Day activities.
SMASH implies that, if you do smoke, you taste disgusting, you smell, have bad teeth, are terrible in the sack and are a person who puts smoking above your loved ones. That paints a very ugly picture of me and the other smokers around campus.
What SMASH has printed is, by legal definition, libel. This printed document has no other purpose than to defame an entire group of people around campus. This is not meeting SMASH's stated goals. In fact, SMASH's own Facebook group states that, "We are working to educate our peers on the health hazards of secondhand smoke and working to promote respect from both sides on this issue." How is portraying your opposition as smelly, gross, think-for-yourselfers trying to be respectful?
SMASH has taken a position directly in contrast to their stated goals. So, not only are they writing defamatory things about people based on their personal choice (which, by the way, violates the University's Non-Discrimination Policy) but they're counteracting their own stated motives by creating a hostile environment in which to have the discussion about on-campus smoking.
Maxwell Knocke
sophomore, undeclared
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Allison Wilson, SMASH Advisor
posted 2/21/08 @ 11:58 AM CST
In response to Maxwell's letter last Friday, SMASH would like to clarify and explain why we chose the KISS ME Campaign held on Valentine's Day.
Maxwell raised some very good points and concerns about potentially creating a divide between smokers and non-smokers. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 2/21/08 @ 2:49 PM CST
Once you stop killing me and other non-smokers with second hand smoke you can complain. Until then, cry me a river.
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